Why Anna Wintour will never put Melania Trump on the cover of Vogue
Interviewed by "The Economist" on Melania Trump, Anna Wintour did not concede to speak of the First Lady of the United States currently in place and preferred to salute the style and presence ... of Michelle Obama.
It's fashion news that sparked a few smirks this week. Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue US was interviewed by journalist Anne McElvoy for the podcast The Economist Asks to talk about the industry and the challenges brought by the year 2019. And if the popess of fashion, who celebrates this her 30 years at the head of the famous magazine lends itself to the start without batting an eyelid to the game of questions and answers, when the journalist wishes to approach the style of Melania Trump, Anna Wintour knowingly ignores the questions put to her.
I think it's important for Vogue to support women who want to get things done in this country.
When Anna Wintour refuses to talk about Melania Trump
During this interview, she is notably asked about Melania Trump and the fact that, since she became First Lady alongside Donald Trump, she has not yet been on the cover of US Vogue. The question is not without interest, since as early as the late 1920s the magazine featured most of the country's First Ladies, the first being Lou Henry Hoover, wife of President Herbert Hoover. Subsequently, Eleanor Roosvelt, Mamie Eisenhower, Jacquie Kennedy, Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton and finally Michelle Obama have all been on the cover of the magazine, some multiple times during their husband's tenure.
"There are so many women in politics who deserve to be celebrated, whether it's Kirsten [Gillibrand] or Senator Harris or Senator Warren. We have just completed a series of documents intended for women, who all deserved, in my opinion, a place in Vogue (...) ", therefore begins to answer the person concerned as soon as the absence of Melania Trump is raised on the cover, but also in the pages of the magazine.
Despite this response during which the editor-in-chief of the magazine does not pronounce, even once, the name of the First Lady, Anne McElvoy then asks her if she thinks that Melania Trump is not a personality. which has its place in the pages of the magazine. "I think it's important for Vogue to support women who want to get things done in this country," Anna Wintour replied.
And when she insists, seeking to obtain an opinion on Melania Trump's style by explaining that it is different from that - left - of her husband, the journalist obtains an answer on ... Michelle Obama. “Well, I think Michelle Obama was really amazing in all of her decisions in the fashion world. She supported young American designers. She encouraged designers all over the world. She was the best ambassador that this country has. could have, in many ways, way beyond fashion. In my eyes, she is an example that I admire. "
Fashion vs Melania Trump
This coldness may have surprised in the general press, but this is not the first time that Anna Wintour refuses to speak of the Trump couple and more precisely of the First Lady. In April 2019, then questioned by Christiane Amanpour for CNN on the reasons why the American magazine put forward more profiles of Democrats than of Republicans, Wintour already replied: "If you are talking about the first lady [Michelle Obama] or the Senator [Kamala] Harris, these are obviously women who we believe are icons and inspiration to women from a global perspective. I feel even more strongly that now is not the time. to try - and I think you have to be fair, you have to look all around - but I don't think it's a moment not to take a stand ... I think you can't be everything for everything the world and I think this is a time when we live in a world, as you surely know, fake news… [and] those of us who work at Conde Nast feel that you have to stand up for this. that you believe and you must have a point of view.
Well I believe Michelle Obama has been really amazing in all of her fashion decisions.
However, we should not believe Anna Wintour senile or head in the air. It is in all conscience that she refuses to recognize Melania Trump as First Lady. The magazine's editor-in-chief was a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton when she campaigned for president in 2016. Moreover, Anna Wintour isn't the only fashion industry actress to turn down. everything related to the presidential couple. From the inauguration of Donald Trump in January 2017, many American designers have refused to dress the First Lady. Among them, Tom Ford - current President of the CFDA-, Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam and Sophie Theallet.
In response to this interview, First Lady spokesperson Stephanie Grisham said: "Covering Vogue doesn't define Melania Trump. In fact, she did it before, long before she was first lady," referring to the February 2005 Vogue cover celebrating Melania's wedding to Donald Trump. “Her current role is much more important than a superficial photography session,” she adds before concluding, “This posture shows how biased the fashion press is and how closed-minded Anna Wintour is. and not sure of herself ". One thing is certain, Melania Trump is unlikely to make the next cover of US Vogue.
