Anna Wintour, the influential figure in the fashion world, recently shared her perspectives on various topics ranging from political figures’ style choices to the current state of the media. In a wide-ranging interview on “The Rest Is Politics” podcast with hosts Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell, she offered insights into Donald Trump’s personal style, the challenges facing the media landscape, and even reflected on past editorial decisions.
Wintour, who stepped back from her role as editor-in-chief of US Vogue but continues to hold significant positions at Condé Nast, remains a prominent voice in the fashion industry and beyond. She has a long history of supporting the Democratic Party, actively participating in fundraising efforts and featuring candidates on the cover of Vogue.
Wintour on Trump and Political Messaging
During the podcast, Wintour, 76, touched on the topic of featuring Melania Trump on the cover of Vogue “when she married the current president,” acknowledging the polarizing nature of politics. She emphasized the importance of separating her role at Condé Nast from her position as a fashion industry leader, while also admitting to advocating with both the White House and UK ministers to support the fashion industry.
She highlighted the irony of former reality star and Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, urging the public to be polite around the same time that Trump was allegedly calling a female journalist names.
Duffy, known for his appearance on “The Real World: Boston,” sparked debate on November 24 when he suggested that dressing up could improve the atmosphere of air travel during the busy holiday season.
Duffy advocated for travellers to avoid wearing “slippers and pajamas” during a press conference held at Newark Liberty Airport.
The “Road Rules” competitor expressed his belief that these guidelines could contribute to a “return to civility” while flying.
* “I call this ‘dressing with some respect.’ Whether it’s a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better, which encourages us to maybe behave a little better,” Duffy stated.
In contrast, on November 18, Trump reportedly told female reporter Catherine Lucey to be “quiet, piggy” while wagging his finger at her after she inquired about the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Later that week, Trump allegedly used his social media platform to call a female New York Times reporter “ugly” for mentioning what he deemed “creepy” health rumors about him.
Wintour, known for her outspokenness on style, commented on this juxtaposition, suggesting, “Maybe they need to connect their messaging.” She also shared her thoughts on Trump’s fashion choices, noting, “I think he likes to be noticed.”
The State of Media
Wintour also addressed the current media landscape, expressing her concerns about the spread of misinformation.
* She emphasized the importance of credible journalism, highlighting publications like the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Atlantic, and Vanity Fair for their commitment to "excellent reporting, fact-checking, telling the truth."
* However, she lamented the presence of "a lot of fake news" on the other side of the spectrum.
Reflecting on Past Decisions
The podcast also touched upon the controversial decision to profile Asma al-Assad, the wife of the former President of Syria Bashar Al Assad, in Vogue. The feature coincided with the outbreak of war in Syria under Assad’s regime. The article, published in the March 2011 issue of US Vogue, was later removed from the internet.
Wintour acknowledged the misstep, stating, “There are several things I’ve done in my career that, if I were doing them again, I would do differently.” This admission reflects a willingness to learn from past experiences and adapt to evolving ethical considerations in journalism.