Vogue's Anna Wintour reveals why she always wears sunglasses - even indoors

Anna Wintour's sharp reputation was well-known, famously serving as inspiration for the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada. This movie has also been adapted into a musical that premiered in London's West End last weekend. However, the Vogue Editor-in-Chief insists that she isn't cold or distant with her less senior employees.

In an interview with Katie Razzall, the Culture and Media editor for BBC Breakfast, the 75-year-old refuted claims that staff are scared to talk to her.

Wintour, currently in London for the launch of an exciting new exhibition called VOGUE: Inventing the Runway, responded to a journalist's question about whether people find her intimidating by saying, "I hope not."

She mentioned that many people reject her as well, pointing out that the belief that 'no one says no to Anna Wintour' is just a myth in the industry.

The experienced editor explained to Razzell, "That's completely false. They frequently say no, but that's actually a positive thing. 'No' is a fantastic word."

Wintour was also questioned about her iconic style, which has remained the same for many years, characterized by her sleek bob haircut and signature sunglasses that she always wears.

Although the fashion icon was reluctant to discuss her overall appearance, stating that she liked to focus on creativity strictly in relation to her work, a determined Razzell managed to get her to share her thoughts on the glasses.

Wintour replied, "They allow me to observe and also to overlook things. They enable me to be noticed or to blend into the background. I would describe them as a tool."

Sporting her sleek bob and dark shades, Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-chief of Vogue, has become a fashion legend. This week, she opened up about the reason behind her choice to wear sunglasses in public.

In an interview with BBC Breakfast's Culture and Media editor, Katie Razzall, to discuss a new immersive exhibition in London showcasing Vogue, Wintour mentioned that she considers the glasses more of a 'prop.' The photo shows Wintour at Marc Jacobs' Autumn/Winter 2024 show in New York this past July.

Am I frosty? Wintour addressed Razzall's inquiry about her image of being hard to approach.

This week, Elton John, a longtime friend of Wintour, revealed that he has completely lost his vision. He shared this information while speaking to the audience at the Dominion Theatre in London, where he joined the Vogue leader for the red carpet premiere of The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical.

When asked if she has any intentions of retiring or continuing her work into her 90s, Wintour stated that she doesn’t plan to leave her role at the fashion magazine in the near future. She mentioned that her focus is on the present rather than what lies ahead.

The recently launched Vogue exhibition at Lightroom in the capital delves into the history of fashion runway shows through an engaging and immersive experience.

This follows the British editor's thoughts on her formative years at the American fashion magazine in Disney+'s documentary series In Vogue: The 90s, which premiered in September.

Before joining Vogue in 1981, Anna had gained experience at Harpers & Queen in London and Harper's Bazaar in the United States.

Four decades later, she's the first person that comes to mind for many when they hear the word Vogue.

In the show, Wintour reflects on her rise to the position of editor-in-chief at Vogue, stating, "Conde Nast chose me because they felt it was necessary to bring about a transformation."

'During the earlier leadership, every Vogue cover seemed to blend together [...], and there are times when you really have to completely overhaul things and begin anew.'

The fashion icon chuckled when she was questioned about whether people are too afraid to decline her requests.

Exciting news: The exhibit "VOGUE: Inventing the Runway" is currently on display at Lightroom in London and will be available to view until April 2025, following its launch last month.

Displayed: Anna Wintour alongside the late Karl Lagerfeld in New York during 1990.

Acknowledging that she didn't have a specific plan, Wintour mentioned that she focused on assembling a group of exceptionally talented individuals to collaborate with while discussing her journey at the prestigious fashion magazine.

During a flight from London to New York in 1989, Anna recounts having a conversation with a "very traditional gentleman." He complimented the magazine for its earlier editions that showcased Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.

Following a lighthearted remark about Madonna's unlikely appearance on their front page, the editor had an inspiring realization and decided to go ahead with showcasing the 'controversial' pop icon.

Last weekend, the musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, inspired by the 2006 film featuring Meryl Streep, attracted a flurry of celebrities to the red carpet. Notable attendees included Anna Wintour, Elizabeth Hurley, and Elton John.

Sir Elton John and Anna Wintour were present at the charity gala for "The Devil Wears Prada Musical" on December 1st.

Those who love the iconic movie The Devil Wears Prada have often believed that Meryl Streep's character, Miranda Priestly, was inspired by Anna Wintour. In the musical adaptation, this role is portrayed by Vanessa Williams, who is 61 years old.

In 2019, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep's co-star, stated that the Oscar-winning actress did not draw inspiration from the Vogue editor. In an interview with NPR, she mentioned, “Meryl didn't really model her character after Anna Wintour. In fact, she informed Anna about it. Instead, she took her cues from two men in Hollywood whom she was familiar with—though I won't reveal their names, but I'm aware of who they are. That’s all there is to it.”

The movie, inspired by Lauren Weisberger's book of the same name, was described as a loose adaptation of the author's actual experiences while working at a high-end fashion magazine.

The movie grossed over £250 million worldwide, which led to Meryl Streep receiving an Oscar nomination for her role as the icy fashion magazine editor. There are also whispers of a potential sequel being planned.

VOGUE: Creating the Runway will be on display at Lightroom in London until April 2025.