Anna Wintour, Behind The Shades

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

(CBS)  This story was first published on May 17, 2009. It was updated on Sept. 17, 2009.

She is said to be the most powerful woman in fashion and she does nothing to dispel that belief. Her name is Anna Wintour, a name that strikes terror in some, loathing in others, and transforms yet others into obsequious toadies.

It should also be said she commands a loyal band of friends and admirers. Nevertheless, she was the inspiration for the novel and movie "The Devil Wears Prada."

For 21 years, this divorced mother of two has been editor of Vogue, the last word in sophisticated fashion and fantasy.

The aura of mystery that surrounds the 59-year-old Wintour is palpable. She is a paparazzi and gossip column magnet. Every twitch, every frown, every suppressed smile is recorded.

She's been portrayed as Darth Vader in a frock, or less harshly, as "Nuclear Wintour." Or is she really just peaches and cream, with a touch of arsenic?

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Watch exclusive videos and outtakes of Morley Safer's interview with Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

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"The blurb on your unauthorized biography reads 'She's ambitious, driven, needy, a perfectionist. An inside look at the competitive bitch-eat-bitch world of fashion' Accurate?" 60 Minutes correspondent Morley Safer asked Wintour.

"Well, I am very driven by what I do. I am certainly very competitive. What else? Am I needy?" she replied. "I'm probably very needy, yes. I'm, a bitch…."

"Perfectionist?" Safer asked.

"Perfectionist?" she asked.

"Well, let's try bitch first," Safer said.

"Well, I hope I'm not. I try not to be. But I like people who represent the best of what they do and if that turns you into a perfectionist than maybe I am," she replied.

High above Times Square, Anna Wintour oversees a small army of girls - coiffed, skinny, beautiful and running scared - the worker bees whose job it is to inspire women to dream.

The pages of Vogue conjure up a never-never land of beauty, of the sweet life. The unattainable comes to glossy life. Under Wintour's direction, Vogue has been hugely successful.

"Vogue is the best of everything that fashion can offer, and I think we point the way. We are, you know, a glamorous girlfriend," she told Safer.

But the glamorous girlfriend, like Vogue readers, is facing leaner times: "I do wanna make the point that September really has to be about value. But we don't want to give up completely the dream and the fantasy but I also feel like we need to have a sense of being more grounded," she told her staff during an editorial meeting.

Wintour is involved in every detail of the magazine: the clothes, editing the pictures and articles. She is decisive, impatient and bears a look that says "I'm the boss, and you're boring."

"Should I do the faces of the moment because that's what we have on the cover or should I just still keep thinking?" one editor asked her, presenting a spread.

"Keep thinking," Wintour curtly replied.

"An editor in the final analysis is a kind of the dictator - a magazine is not a democracy?" Safer asked.

"It's a group of people coming together and presenting ideas from which I pick what I think is the best mix for each particular issue but in the end the final decision has to be mine," 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

[alanpo]

This was a very disappointing piece in terms of journalistic integrity. You mention Ms. Wintour's father and say she dropped out of school at 16. Then, what? She shows up as head of Vogue 23 years or so later. What about the missing years? Would it not have been useful to have seen the evolution of her life and career? Does she have a family? By omitting anything about these elements, you let viewers draw the conclusion that there was a lot that was off-limits. If in fact this is the case, why would you agree to this?

[Jess4ml57]

I do not think anyone should have that kind of power!!! She is obviously very nasty and no doubt in my mind, promotes this unhealthy skinny , anorexic model chic look. The magazines owners, or whoever is in charge clearly don't care as they are so out if touch and she makes them tons of money in the ads that makes up most of Vogues pages. And what's more is that she was not even honest about how she is percieved or is , which to me is if she was such a fashion icon that at least own it and make it yours. What does she have to lose?? She has already stated that in fact she might strive for perfection or I think in this case she uses too much cocaine or whatever!!!!! The truth hurts wear it, that should be her new motto!!!

[arthur3318ave]

Morley Safer, you disappoint me!! Since when is a successful CEO who has been honest with her employees, fair to her customers and has not cheated the government considered a "*****"? This is 2009, not 1959. Must I ask how she would have been characterized had she been a man? Ignore them all and bravo Anna Wintour!
Beverly Miller
San Diego, CA

[Daisy79]

I'm a loyal 60 Minutes viewer and a fan of Morley Safer but I was disappointed by his Anna Wintour interview.

Anna Wintour seemed to handle it well. She was professional.
Morley Safer focused too much on her "******" titles and reputation instead of her admirable, and difficult, position at helm of the billion dollar fashion industry. If he were interviewing a man who wielded as much power as Anna does, would he spend that much time discussing their ****** qualities? While she is far from being a cuddly person, she deserves to be taken seriously for her business savvy, dedication to the industry and her ability to keep it professional.

I also felt that he should have done his homework, to make silly digs about the tailoring and attire of two of the most influential designers of the past two decades, John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld, of Dior and Chanel respectively, shows a lack of research and knowledge about his story topic. They may not dress in his style but they are immensely talented,hard working and worthy of respect when referenced in the context of a story about fashion Vogue.

I would not be surprised if Morley's wife and other female colleagues did not own, or at least wish they owned, a piece of Chanel or Dior clothing, made by these ghoulish men in "badly tailored clothing." I do.


One more note:
After reading the comments here online, I suppose that during a recession it's easy to belittle the often excessive and extravagant fashion industry. I absolutely agree that the excess has been ridiculous and often distasteful.
But it ccurred to me that during a recession, jobs matter and the American fashion industry employs many people. Michelle Obama might agree. Her scrutinized and documented clothing choices are always designed by Americans. Good for our economy and good for morale.

[gregfladager]

This would make nice CD in the back of People Magazine.

[flajoe1]

Here's a quick lesson on how to be a fashion designer.

Steal the design of a jacket from the 40's then add a blouse and vest from the 50's then combine those with pants or a skirt from the 70's throw in a pair of shoes from 1700's. Put them on a malnourished model and then charge $1,300.00 for it and.................................... BOOM you're a fashion designer.

To become a successful fashion designer you'll have to do the above plus kiss up to Anna Wintour

[runner4life]

60 minutes to not watch 60 Minutes: Anna Wintour profile piece.

Seems to me like you guys were the "obsequious toadies." How can this often-revered newsmagazine waste our time with such nonsense? Where was the news peg?

And as I said before, this isn't journalism. No one cares. It's sad to see how much money was wasted on a segment that seemed to like a glorified PR piece.

[amarchbaby]

As a journalist, a fashion writer and a woman, I was very disappointed in the Anna Wintour segment. How many times was the word "*****'' used? What's wrong with "tough?'
I found the interview uninformative (there was very little on the creative process) and sexist.
Would Mr. Safer ever call a male interviewee a "prick?'' or a "**************''?
I don't think so.
Sincerely, Sylvia Rubin

[two-cats]

If this is the woman behind all the weird fashion covers, grotesque hair and make-up, ugly poses, and silliness in general, then I wish she would be replaced with a real, down-to-earth editor. I don't like the direction of the fashion magazines nor the fashions that come out of such inane semi-consciousness!

[Ken_Hudson]

Sad to see veteran journalist Morely Safer groveling before this withered, pompous, self-adulating woman. This piece has no place on the program I have respected and learned from over these many years. Get back to investigative and analytical reporting and away from celebrity worship.