Anna Wintour, Behind The Shades

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

(CBS)  Asked why she often dons her large, trademark sunglasses, Wintour told Safer, "Well, they're seriously useful. I mean, I can sit in a show, and if I'm bored out of my mind, nobody will notice. And if I'm enjoying it, nobody will notice. So, I think at this point they've become, you know, really armor."

Wintour was born in London, the daughter of Charles Wintour, the editor of the London Evening Standard. He was a tough-minded intellectual. Anna dropped out of high school at 16.

"I wasn't academically successful. And maybe I've spent a lot of my career trying to make up for that," she told Safer.

"Your father, who I knew only slightly in England, he had a tough reputation," Safer remarked.

"Yes. 'Chilly Charlie,'" Wintour replied.

"And not unlike yours," Safer pointed out. "And his reporters were scared of him."

"Yes. But look what he created. I mean, he created a great newspaper. And I certainly did learn this from him: people respond well to someone who's sure of what they want," she said.

And Wintour is nothing but sure. That's most apparent when twice a year her majesty takes her place at the ready-to-wear fashion shows in New York, Paris and Milan where she sits in judgment of the work of the world's most eminent designers.

To an outsider, these shows are another planet, part dazzling, part Rocky Horror show. The models seem as angry as they are emaciated, wearing clothes fit for a cadaver, and shoes that make stilettos seem sensible, and a legion of camp followers, and campy followers, chasing the celebrities du jour and the people who dress them

"You come here to be inspired. You come here to see the best of the best," Wintour told Safer. "One just wants to rush back and put it in the pages of the magazine and translate it as fast as you can to the reader."

It's a planet where Wintour feels comfortably at home - where she acts as a cheerleader, powerbroker and consultant.

Asked what bores her, Wintour said, "Mediocrity. If you see a collection that is that you feel a designer has been lazy or taking inspiration from other designers, it doesn't as much bore me as anger me."

Neither Vogue, nor Anna will openly criticize designers; she just omits them from the magazine. It's death by "annanymity." It's the kind of power that makes designers like Karl Lagerfeld sing her praises.

"She is the most famous fashion journalist in the world," Lagerfeld told Safer. "She says what she thinks. That's why some people think sometimes she is a little tough. But I like tough people, and I like tough woman. She has to give a cold image to keep things going. That's not that easy, huh? It's like running a mad house, a fashion magazine."

When she drops in on a designer it is make or break time. Nicholas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga was anxious to please, when Wintour stopped by at his studio.

"Do you keep her in mind when you're working on a new collection or a new design?" Safer asked.

"There is always a moment when you question if Anna will like it or not, for sure. I think any designer who says the contrary would lie," Ghesquiere replied.

John Galliano, who designs for Dior, calls Wintour his fairy Godmother. "Oh my goodness, in all my success, I mean, without her support I certainly wouldn't be at the house of Dior today," he said.

"She has an eye. To have an eye is key," Bernard Arnault told Safer.

[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