6 Success Techniques from Anna Wintour
It is said behind the scenes of the most impressive fashion shows in the world, that perhaps a single gesture from them can boost or bury your career. Rumor or not, the truth is that the fashion mogul must have a high level of influence: Anna Wintour, who in this giant fashion industry is the one who has the last word.
Praised by many and criticized by many others, with more than 27 years of professional experience she has managed to raise her name and that of the American magazine 'Vogue'. If we had to define him in two words it would be: perfectionism and leadership, since thanks to this, on his back rest around 47 million positions that the global fashion industry moves, for his approval are from the most influential designers in the world, photographers, models and even political and entertainment figures.
But there is even something a little more particular about Anna Wintour, and although tabloids and the media have called her cold and calculating, over the years she has proven to be a woman who makes difficult, risky and controversial decisions, where breaking the rules has been the order of her daily life.
There are few interviews where he has revealed the secret of his professional success, but he always mentions something in particular; 'be who you are', and it may sound basic or very elementary that at first glance it stops being exactly a secret formula. But let's be honest, sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to put into practice.
In Hanukeii, we want to share with you some tips that the empress of fashion has implemented throughout her life to carve out a career of constant growth and perseverance, where it is proven that the fashion business is intimidating and that at the same time is a fun path, full of creativity and leadership.
1. No room for mediocrity
She seeks art and originality in everything that surrounds her. A collection by a designer who is not innovative, who repeats the same thing, a creation without foundation or who imitates another designer's patterns, is in his head an "impossible". 'There is nothing more boring than those who choose the role of followers' , says Wintour, 'that is where the human being's ability to create dies' .
Those who have worked with her affirm that on certain occasions when something that she considered 'mediocre' arrived at her office, there was no need to argue with the designer about the level of her collection, since she respects the level of the creative process that exists behind it, however his silence is definitive and that is where his team and the designers know that the collection will not be part of the next edition. Like no parade.
2. Push to be pushed.
she is a faithful supporter of 'Tell me who you're with and I'll tell you who you are.' For Wintour, the human need to be sociable also denotes a great responsibility regarding the selectivity that this implies. 'It is important to surround yourself with people who inspire you, who bring out the best version of you, and even to surround yourself with people who encourage you, but not hold you back.'
The best explanation of this is the anecdote about him with Marc Jacobs, who before meeting Anna Wintour saw his path to the top as a designer a little more complicated.He and his partner did not have enough money at that time to hold a fashion show and that was when Wintour, who upon learning her work already knew the great potential it had. In this way, he moved some pieces and convinced Trump to lend them the Plaza Hotel lounge, and from there the rest is history.
3. Use your weaknesses as a work tool
Although it may seem like a joke, this genius suffers from attention deficit, she has suffered from it all her life, but she has not allowed this to interfere with her life, but on the contrary she has chosen to work on turning it into a tool for the benefit of she. She separates her personal life from work, so at work she avoids trivial conversations at all costs and avoids eye contact, as these types of actions tend to distract her a lot. In fact, as a curious fact, it is part of her strategy to wear sunglasses. black sun all the time. In fact, opt for oversized geometric sunglasses like our Hyde Black or also a buttlerfly style like the Lombard Black.
4. Be punctual
It is part of their routine, and it is one of the secrets that many successful businessmen have in their agenda: 'you have valued your time and that of those around you, so you will feel that the day has been fully used '. For example, a designer may have the best collection in the world, but if he arrives late, making his viewers wait, it is because he has not planned and is improvising at the last minute, which is why it is important to always pay attention to details.
In addition to this, her morning starts at 5 am, a tennis match is her first goal of the day, then she has her coffee for breakfast, spends time with her pet and talks with her children, then she has her personal stylist session and at 8 am is at the Vogue offices. Staying up late is not allowed and he is out of the offices at 6pm, because he knows that staying overtime is indicative of low productivity. He even respects his 8-hour sleep regimen, so seeing him staying up late is not his thing, even if it's the Met Gala.
5. "Either you know about fashion, or you don't"
He is a faithful believer in the innate talent of people and the development of creative visions, he detests 'fast fashion', mass and aimless fashion. She supports the design and art processes that permeate the author's spirit; for her, that is where success lies. The curious thing is that this empress of industry did not finish high school nor did she attend university.
Coming from a family of editors, she had learned from his father that when someone is sure of what they want, people usually tend to react well. And it's advice she has followed her entire life. There is no room for doubt. She always trusted her instincts, her talent and her heart; her knowledge of fashion has allowed her to make her own decisions without apologizing.
Harper's Queen's 1982 editor Grace Mirabella is said to have interviewed Anna Wintour for the position of fashion assistant. She was surprised because they had recommended this girl who was not a journalist, nor an editor, nor did she have a university education, but she had something that the other candidates did not have: a different vision. Before ending the interview, she was asked what her dream job was, to which she answered: 'yours'. Years later, Grace would leave the position to leave it in the hands of what would later be known as the 'midas of fashion'. A new chapter in the industry would have been passed.
6. Create your personal brand
Last but not least, Anna recommends creating your personal brand, she beyond her position in the industry as editor of Vogue, Harper's and art director of Condé Nast is 'Anna Wintour ', and everything that accompanies it is part of its signature. In some interviews Anna commented on the importance of finding your own voice and working as a team: 'without a team you are nothing, so the importance of empowering those who support your vision and investing in them, as in yourself, is key Otherwise mediocrity will always accompany you'.
Her chin-length bob and her black sunglasses are something that has always characterized her, her expressionless face at the shows, what will her eyes see? What will go through her mind while thousands of artists are waiting for her ruling? It is something that she will always take with her, the truth is that you now want to receive a call from Anna Wintour and know that the effort has been recognized, with a critical eye, with taste and style.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What was Anna Wintour's first job?
A dropout from traditional education, she landed her first job for Harper's Queen, UK where she worked as a fashion assistant.
2.When was Vogue magazine created?
This magazine dates back to 1892, founded in the United States by Arthur Baldwin and later purchased by Condé Nast.
3. Who is the creator of the gala MET?
The creator of this charity and fashion event is Anna Wintour. The MET gala is held every year where figures from the fashion and entertainment industry attend wearing the best designs according to the theme of the year. The money raised is used to finance the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of New York.
