French Wings

26.12.10

Is the British-born editor-in-chief of American Vogue, a position she has held since 1988. With her trademark pageboy bob haircut and sunglasses, Wintour has become an institution throughout the fashion world, widely praised for her eye for fashion trends and her support for younger designers. Her reportedly aloof and demanding personality has earned her the nickname "Nuclear Wintour".

She is the eldest daughter of Charles Wintour, editor of the London Evening Standard, and his American first wife. Anna became interested in fashion as a teenager. Her father consulted her on how to make the newspaper relevant to the youth of the era. Her career in fashion journalism began at two British magazines. Later she moved to the United States, with stints at New York and House & Garden. She returned home for a year to turn around British Vogue, and later assumed control of the franchise's magazine in New York, reviving what many saw as a stagnating publication. Her use of the magazine to shape the fashion industry has been the subject of debate within it. Animal rights activists have attacked her for promoting fur, while other critics have charged her with using the magazine to promote elitist views of femininity and beauty.

Anna Dello Russo

Once described by Helmut Newtonas a "fashion maniac", Anna Dello Russo is currently the Editor At Large and creative consultant forVogue Japan.

Anna spent 18 years at Conde Nast Italia starting as a Fashion Editor at Vogue Italia she went on to become Editor of L'Uomo Vogue from 2000-2006.

Anna was born in Bari in Southern Italy, and now lives in Milan withher dog Cucciolina.

She is an avid collector of fashion and jewellery and describes herself as a passionate fashionista.

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Franca Sozzani

As editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, Sozzani wields a different power to her American counterpart, Anna Wintour. Her magazine has traditionally been the most arty and uncompromisingly 'fashion' of the Vogues. It is not so much about circulation as reflecting the zeitgeist. It doesn't matter that the editorial is in Italian, the magazine is an international style bible. The pictures are always more important than the words. She edited the Italian magazine Lei in 1979, and then went on to start Per Lui, working with Bruce Weber, Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh and Paolo Roversi. Since taking over at Vogue 12 years ago, she has continued to work with the most visionary photographers in the business, who often do their best work for her because of the freedom she gives them. Wendy Dagworthy says her magazine is 'very special. It's about style, not fashion.' Her sister, Carla, runs the influential Milanese fashion and lifestyle boutique, 10 Corso Como.

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