Nuclear Wintour

Not since the enigmatic Eva Peron has a woman of power been simultaneously loved and loathed as much as Anna Wintour. Feared and revered she has reigned supreme as Editor in chief of US Vogue for twenty years. She is a subject of immense intrigue: her personality and private life have baffled reporters for years.The popular press love to caricature and Wintour plays the ice maiden role with calculated precision. Notorious for her slim appearance, sleek bob and signature shades she is a force to be reckoned with. She has fairly or unfairly been labelled “icy and inscrutable”.Sitting front row at fashion week one rival editor cattily remarked “It’s (Anna) like an accident. You can’t help but look”. There is an element of truth to this observation, she is a fashion parody personified. Check out one bloggers unfortunate short lived interview.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZQ1CV1sD5cIs there a frailty to this aloof perfectionist, a sadness or a helplessness? Are her control-freak tendencies the result of some tragic childhood incident? Or, like an animal thrust into a room full of hyenas, is there a certain vulnerability to this supposed wonder woman? Is she simply misunderstood and misrepresented? Worse case scenario, I’m sure the said hyenas would make a great bolero for this frosty femme.The Devil wears Prada implies a snappy, stiletto wearing persona. PETA declare her to be a contemporary Cruella de Ville. The irony that Meryl Streep has played both characters with such aptitude is perhaps no coincidence.However it cannot be denied that Wintour is a fashion icon of an impressive ilk with an extraordinary work ethic. Her mystery has forced observers to bizarrely label her “a fabulously glamorous insect” and “kitchen scissors at work”. Her ability to source talent and put together a look with a combination of luxe and less pieces is her true talent. Wintour is notorious for her elitist approach to both covers and editorial content. Lifestyle and exclusivity are never compromised. Her fantasy pages transport the reader to an aspirational world of luxury and prestige.So who is the real Anna Wintour? Speculation is rife.■ BexBella