Anna Wintour, Behind The Shades

60 Minutes' Morley Safer Interviews Vogue's Editor In Her First Lengthy U.S. TV Profile

(CBS)  There was "Miranda Priestly," the beastly editor in "The Devil Wears Prada," featuring Meryl Streep as Anna incarnate.

"I've heard that Miranda Priestly is just a teddy bear compared to Anna Wintour," Safer said.

"It was entertainment. It was not a true rendition of what happens within this magazine," she replied.

"I understand that. But where people made comparisons with you - that coldness, that Anna must not be spoken to when she's on the elevator," Safer pointed out.

"Oh yeah. I heard that. You're not allowed to get in the elevator with me," Wintour said laughing.

"Well, you can get on, but just keep your mouth shut?" Safer asked, laughing.

"That's an exaggeration. I guess in response, I can only say that. I have so many people here, Morley, that have worked with me for 15, 20 years, and, you know, if I'm such a bitch, they must they must really be a glutton for punishment because they’re still here," Wintour said.

"Well, I wouldn't use the word 'bitch.' I would say a certain coldness," Safer remarked.

"Well, we're here to work. There's on duty time and off duty time and we're drawn together by our passion for the magazine. If one comes across sometimes as being cold or brusque, it's simply because I'm striving for the best," she explained.

"It's not like a tea party here. We work very hard," Vogue's editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley told Safer.

He has worked with Anna for decades. Asked what kind of boss she is, Talley told Safer, "Let's say that Anna can be intimidating. I think that's her armor, to intimidate. To give the people the sense that she is in charge."

"She is not a person who's going to show you her emotions ever. She's like a doctor, when she's looking at your work, it's like a medical analysis," Talley added. "Some of us can't cope with that, we need to be loved."

Fat chance of that, says Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington, another veteran colleague. "I think she enjoys not being completely approachable, you know. Just her office is very intimidating, right? You have to walk about a mile into the office before you get to her desk and I'm sure it's intentional," Coddington said.

She told Safer she had never seen Wintour looking less than perfect.

"That must take terrific discipline," Safer remarked.

"I think she's a very disciplined woman," Coddington agreed.

She is also a very pampered one: Conde Nast, her publisher, picks up the bill for her hair and makeup every day of the week, and her rumored $200,000 a year clothing allowance.

"You made yourself the personification of Vogue. I mean, look at you. Not a hair out of place. Do you feel that that's your mission in life? To appear perfect?" Safer asked.

"It's very important to me that I look good when I go out publicly. I like looking at my clothes rack in the morning and deciding what to pick out. I enjoy fashion. Morley I mean, I wouldn't be in this job if I didn't," she explained.

[hawkeyes11a]

A warning should of been posted before this segment " SMUG ALEART " You have some 60 year old Woman that scares the Bejesus out of young women that work for her,gay fashion designers and comes across as being puckered on both ends. Who anoints these people to these pompously conceited positions that they lord over everyone who has the misfortune to have to deal with them?

[joaniekarencox]

Ice Ice Baby, Anna Wintour is a frosty treat in The September Issue...http://southflorida.metromix.com/style/article/glamazon-the-wintour-of/1435490/content

[Taureau77]

Very disappointing journalism. Again the same sad, old clichés are rolled out. Seems more like he is pandering to middle America's dismissal of the fashion industry. Is this supposed to be quality journalist? Has he opened our eyes any more or brought any new insight into this topic. I don't think so. The reporter has stamped his snide and condescending opinion all over this report. What ever happened to objective journalism? Even if you have your own opinions on certain types of clothing, people and events, including them in your report is totally irrelevant and points the viewer in a certain direction. Stick to the facts, his view has not contributed anything to opening our eyes to the inside world of fashion and has not increased our understanding of this billion-dollar industry, in the end. If the reporter is so ready to dismiss this world before the eyes of the world why bother reporting on it in the first place then? In the end nobody has learnt from this report, we have only managed to be exposed to this journalist's own sad bias and prejudice.

[davidcc472]

Great job Morley, it was a very insightful story that keeps 60 Minutes being the show that I grew up watching, not all glooom and economic bloom. Morley Safer puts together with his producers a story that perks up your curiousity. When your age lets see what your contributing to the world... he's the bomb! Still.

David

[barbararkerr]

I have admired Morley Safer's work for many years. However, it was deeply disappointing to watch his story on Anna Wintour which was dismissive both of her work and, it seemed, fashion today. And it was ironic that a discerning man who enjoys and appreciates various styles of art didn't extend the same sensibilities to fashion. Just as individuals may be moved or inspired by different kinds of arts (or not), the same is true regarding fashion. An admirer of Ralph Lauren or Valentino may not be enthusiastic about the work of Marc Jacobs. And, echoing sentiments expressed by others, I found myself wondering if an interview with a male executive of the same passions and temperament -- namely, a relentless pursuit of excellence -- would have been treated in the same manner.

[cliffps]

Fun interview, great to have a peek behind the scenes. I just can't believe this woman is 59 years old, she looks so much younger! And yes, so she has it all, where's the problem here? Let her be, people need to find something better to do than criticize successful, attractive women. Just watch the show, enjoy the behind-the-scenes angle and get on with your life - Cliff in Palm Springs (still not believeing she's 59, lol).

Morley Safer - the next time you're interviewing the CEO of Microsoft, GM, Chrysler, Citi, GE, etc. etc please remember to ask them about how "mean" they are. Your interview was ridiculous for 2009 with a female executive. Shame on CBS for continuing to propagate the "*****" accusation to women in power.

[myanna555]

Guys, check the spelling in your article. What a shame for CBS news. Absolute shame.

[Judy202]

You've got to be kidding me with this segment. She's newsworthy? A full-of-herself fashion editor who things the world revolves around her? To glorify this type of excess during this economy (or any time, really) is ridiculous. Is she proud of the fact that she's a b*tch, sitting there with that smirk on her face? There are so many other people out there worthy of being on your show...but she's not one of them. Telling Oprah to lose weight? Saying people in Minnesota are the size of small houses? Get the hair our of your face and get real. PLEASE stop making this ego-maniacal self-important fear-inducing woman any more important than she is (or isn't).

[ViewingNan]

When did we fall back to calling females over 13 "girls." Morley Safer, who certainly should know better, stated that Anna Wintour's office is filled with girls. I did not see one female under 13 anywhere. Shame on you, Morley. Women have fought hard for respect, advancement and fair treatment. Now, please give it to us. Thank you.

Nancy