The fashion industry has a problem, an addiction even, and it does nothing to keep in check. No anonymous meetings, no admonishment, no illegal drugs (though, of course, there’s been a history of that too). In fact, it’s shrouded in whispers, which seems fitting as its problem is gossip. Not necessarily catty, but definitely chatty - the talk in question travels fast and facts, like belts, get loosened when the fatty, juicy subject is indulged in.
The latest victim of the mill is Anna Wintour. Nicknamed ‘Nuclear Wintour’ after her frosty persona, you’d think that Page Six, who kickstarted the latest round of gossip, would be more wary of the Condé Nast editor.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Wintour, 68, might be stepping aside later this year after publishing her final September issue after overseeing the magazine for some 30 years. The American tabloid reported that British Vogue’s current editor Edward Enninful is a possible replacement.
Wintour wouldn’t be the only editor to be eyeing greener pastures as recently, Elaine Welteroth left Teen Vogue, Graydon Carter has made his exit from Vanity Fair, Cindy Leive followed suit at Glamour and Alexandra Schulman stood down of editrix of British Vogue after 25 years in 2017.
Since rising from Editor-in-Chief of the US edition to artistic director of Condé, Wintour has overseen the closure of style.com, Teen Vogue, Self and Detail’s print publications. She’s also wielded untold power in the industry - making and breaking designers, brands, celebrities and sports stars. For her to leave it would beg the question where would she go? Would Wintour quietly slip into retirement?
This isn’t the first time that it’s been suggested that the British-born publishing giant might be considering a career change. Since 2009 there have been whispers of Wintour’s ‘Discontent’. News also leaked that she was ‘angling’ for an Ambassador post in London.
Condé Nast has firmly rebutted the Page Six story, telling The Cut: ‘There’s zero truth to the story’