Fashion Editors. The New Black?

Anna Dello Russo

In a world obsessed with age, it came as a surprise to me to read an article over the weekend which said the new fashion icons were fashion editors.  Once famous for making icons, fashion editors, most of who are in their 40s and 50s, are now gracing the pages of style blogs and editorials, and are becoming more popular than models or celebrities.

Leading the charge are Anna Dello Russo, the editor-at-large of Japanese Vogue, Emmanuelle Alt, the editor of Vogue Paris, Giovanna Battaglia from Vogue Italy and former editor-in-chief of French Vogue, Carine Roitfield. Where once Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue, was the only editor who had a personality large enough to garner interest, now she almost risks fading into the background with her fashion choices.

Favouring Prada kitten heels and large shades, Wintour is quite conservative when it comes to fashion choices. Dello Russo on the otherhand, hasn't found a colour or a print she didn't like.

Toning her physique with 3 hours of yoga and swimming every morning, Dello Russo has a body to rival most models on the catwalk today. She owns an amazing 4,000 pairs of shoes and has a separate apartment for her clothes alone. Launching her perfume, Beyond, in November 2010, Dello Russo's cult status continues to grow and she is unlikely to be slowing down anytime soon. 

Once described as the sexist editor in fashion, former editor of French Vogue, Carine Roitfield has been a favourite of fashion followers for years. With a penchant for black rock 'n' roll style outfits and kohl rimmed eyes, Roitfield has become a fashion icon.  Now working for major retailer Barneys overseeing their autumn collection, Roitfield continues to inspire fashion followers around the world.

Christine Centenera

Carine Roitfield

Other than Stevie Dance, editor of Russh, and Christine Centenera, Fashion Editor of Harper's Bazaar Australia, Australian's fashion editors are rarely photographed at global fashion events. Australia is small player in the global fashion market, however, with the global success of Australian brands such as Camilla and Marc, Sass and Bide, Josh Goot and Willow, to name a few, the Australian fashion industry should be doing more to promote Australia as a fashion forward country. The recent show Park Street, following the fashion editors of ACP's main women's magazines, did not do so well with the ratings, but at least editors are getting out there and trying to create a name and personality for themselves. Rarely are famous bloggers seen at Australian fashion week, which means there is limited global coverage of the shows.

Australian editors should take advantage of the fact that editors are now the focus in the fashion world. By getting themselves seen and followed, they will be in a much better place to promote Australian fashion.

The Business of Being Anna

As the most influential figure in fashion today, Anna Wintour has the power to shape the fashion industry. She has the ability to not only make or break a designer, but can change the fashion economy. As the iconic editor of US Vogue since 1988, Wintour has carved out a career in the industry most people can only dream of.

Showing how far her influence stretches, when the New York fashion industry was struggling in 2009, Wintour approached Mayor Michael Bloomberg and proposed a late-night shopping party. Although people were hesitant at the idea of promoting shopping with the state of the economy, Wintour was not someone you could say no to.  Calling on her celebrity, fashion and business contacts, Fashion's Night Out was an overwhelming success with foot traffic in stores increasing almost 50%.  Wintour didn't stop at New York. The following year she called a meeting of 30 international Vogue editors to brainstorm global initiatives to help the fashion economies around the world.

This drive and self-belief has captured the imagination of fashion lovers everywhere, with Wintour recently appearing on the cover of the Wall Street Journal.

Most believe Wintour is the subject of the 2003 bestselling novel The Devil Wears Prada. However, it was not until the release of the documentary The September Issue, that people got an insight into the woman behind the infamous bob.

A force to be reckoned with, Anna Wintour will go down in history as arguably the most influential person in the history of fashion.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/anna-wintour-and-the-business-of-being-vogue/story-e6frg90x-1226027463362

Image by Mario Testino.