Speculation that Anna Wintour may become an Ambassador

[Egoiste]

I can't really imagine how person, who works in fashion industry - art, photography and so one, would exchange fashion i such a boring post. My other side, what to Anna to became Ambassador, because Vogue would have new EIC. As Lee MG Tisci, i would love to see Grace as Vogue EIC !!!

 

[blueorchid]

I'm not sure what to believe about this, it doesn't seem real. I suppose if Shirley Temple can be an ambassador then Anna Wintour could be one! Though I do think it's sort of a snub to a lot of people who've spent their whole career in public service and hoped to become an ambassador. It's quite a serious position so in some ways it doesn't seem right to give it to someone who hasn't actively worked for it. Maybe in England it would be "easier" to do but to be an ambassador in many parts of the world is a tough job, and I have so much respect for them. I'm curious to find out if the rumors are true or not, the public reaction would be interesting to see!

Don't people who spend their lives in public service who work up to these position actually work in countries where diplomacy is needed though? I mean, the people who get positions to "nice" countries are pretty much because of patronage system. I'm NOT saying that relations between the US/UK/France aren't important and necessary, but it would be a different story if they were going to select her to be the Ambassador to Kuwait. I'm not even sure if the ambassador to a place like the UK matters because of their "Special Relationship" and the Deputy Chief of Mission runs the embassy there anyway. The current ambassador to France and Monaco was the former CEO of the Jim Henson Company, If he can do it, I'm sure Anna can.

Also, I kind of want her to get a reason to leave Vogue. Even though it's been getting a bit better lately, I think it's time for a new perspective.

 

[ChristyLeReveur]

Don't people who spend their lives in public service who work up to these position actually work in countries where diplomacy is needed though? I mean, the people who get positions to "nice" countries are pretty much because of patronage system. I'm NOT saying that relations between the US/UK/France aren't important and necessary, but it would be a different story if they were going to select her to be the Ambassador to Kuwait. I'm not even sure if the ambassador to a place like the UK matters because of their "Special Relationship" and the Deputy Chief of Mission runs the embassy there anyway. The current ambassador to France and Monaco was the former CEO of the Jim Henson Company, If he can do it, I'm sure Anna can.

Also, I kind of want her to get a reason to leave Vogue. Even though it's been getting a bit better lately, I think it's time for a new perspective.

Not everyone wants to be posted in places like Kuwait--so professionals might actually want relatively safe places like France or the UK.

 

[tentalicious]

i really hope this rumor is true.. i think it's the perfect excuse for having Grace Coddington as the new EIC

Oh Man.............. from your mouth to God's ears

 

[blueorchid]

Not everyone wants to be posted in places like Kuwait--so professionals might actually want relatively safe places like France or the UK.

They do work in relatively safe places, just not as the ambassador. Choosing the ambassador to "safe" countries is not about being a professional, the only requirement is being a top fundraiser for the president. It's patronage.

 

[ChristyLeReveur]

They do work in relatively safe places, just not as the ambassador. Choosing the ambassador to "safe" countries is not about being a professional, the only requirement is being a top fundraiser for the president. It's patronage.

You might be right, but I still think the ambassadorships in places like France/UK (where you said earlier that diplomacy is not needed) are important to have professionals. The US relations with these countries are friendly so they might need to handle their relations with professional care. Diplomacy is needed everywhere, not just a particular group of countries.

Anyway, as much as I will probably hate it if they really choose Anna, the only good thing will happen is that we will have Grace as the new EIC!

 

[pixiedust1603]

I can understand why she would want to undertake this role, if it is true, and it's looking likelier by the day.
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[tiffany]

Even the suggestion is absurd and disgusting. People serve for decades in the foreign service to get promoted to the position of Ambassador - they are well experienced and well trained, and deserve the position due to their qualifications and skills as diplomats.

Apparently the US is notorious for appointing random Presidential supporters and donors as Ambassadors all over the world. In general other countries do not do this (although unfortunately the ultimate 'top-jobs', like being sent as Ambassador to Washington) because they appreciate that your Ambassador should be a skilled career diplomat and not just some random person who happens to be well connected. That's nepotistic and revolting.

Besides, what did Anna Wintour do to even be considered? Did she donate millions for his campaign, or is she going to put Michelle Obama on a Vogue cover

 

[YoninahAliza]

^Michelle was already on the cover of Vogue, four years ago, after the president won his first term. As a fan of Michelle I just loved that she was on the cover of Vogue but I don't think she will be on the cover again, it might not be in good form to do so. And Anna was also one of the top fundraisers for the Obama campaign which is in part why people think she's being considered for the job. She did an amazing job of getting people to back President Obama. Anna's published quite a few political articles focusing on those working in Washington over the years, from Sarah Palin to my gal Kristen Gillibrand, so she's definitely politically aware. Some of my favorite articles in Vogue over the years have been the spotlights on women working in politics or on social issues. In someways I think fashion and politics are very similar, they are both high stress jobs with a lot of back-room dealings (like with all the designers leaving/switching fashion houses), so who knows, maybe Anna would be a good ambassador?

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I'm no huge fan of Anna, but this is the woman who got Marc Jacobs into rehab She's been effective her whole life, I don't imagine that's going to change now. And it's not like they would send her out there alone--she would be surrounded by career people and probably hundreds of years of collective experience.

It's unfortunate that anytime you have a high-profile, successful woman, there's this huge buzz and much of it negative. It smacks of misogyny to me

 

[YoninahAliza]

^I completely agree. In someways I'm skeptical of this possible appointment yet I also welcome it for the fact that she's a women in a position of power and I want to see her continue to succeed in whatever area she's interested. It's inspirational to see other women succeed. But you are so right, quite often these sort of situations reek of misogyny. Just because Anna is a women who's hugely successful shouldn't mean that she's a b*tch. Would a man who was EIC of a high profile magazine get called such degrading names if he was being considered for an ambassador position? NO. He wouldn't, he' be called "intelligent" and "powerful." It's disgusting how much hate Anna gets. While I don't always agree with everything she's said or done I still respect her.

The 2012 election was a pretty historic one, in terms of how many women were elected to office, and so why couldn't it also be historic for having an EIC of a major fashion magazine going into politics? It might show people that fashion can/should be taken seriously and that you can be smart/political & socially aware and care about such things. Fashion is an subject area that has such a stigmatism attached to it (I hate this so much. It's like a pet peeve of mine, when people comment that fashion "dumb" or whatever). But like you said, fashionista-ta, Anna is a person who has been very effective her whole life, and so in that regards I do think that this might not be a bad gig for her.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Great post in #29 YoninahAliza - very fair-minded methinks.

 

[saann]

The 2012 election was a pretty historic one, in terms of how many women were elected to office, and so why couldn't it also be historic for having an EIC of a major fashion magazine going into politics? It might show people that fashion can/should be taken seriously and that you can be smart/political & socially aware and care about such things.

Her background might be in fashion but running and elevating a magazine to Vogue's standard today is anything but. It's all politics and business, something Anna Wintour has excelled at. People can say what they want about the 'non serious' field she's in, or her persona, but they can't deny that behind that hard cut bob of hers lies a very strategic, goal oriented and business minded woman that could tackle any obstacle thrown her way.

This woman knows politics, she's excelled at it for decades, it's just the field she would be new to.

 

[eternitygoddess]

Anna's published quite a few political articles focusing on those working in Washington over the years, from Sarah Palin to my gal Kristen Gillibrand, so she's definitely politically aware. Some of my favorite articles in Vogue over the years have been the spotlights on women working in politics or on social issues. In someways I think fashion and politics are very similar, they are both high stress jobs with a lot of back-room dealings (like with all the designers leaving/switching fashion houses), so who knows, maybe Anna would be a good ambassador?

Wasn't she also the one who gave the go for the highly-glorified article of Asma al Assad?

Just sayin'.

 

[Nemova]

^ And she's probably also the one who got Joan Juliet Buck's a** fired as a means to exempt Vogue from any responsibility. I hope this particular episode is taken into account.

 

[eternitygoddess]

^Agreed. Wintour and the management team's handling of the Asma al-Assad was absolutely disgraceful. They threw the Joan Juliet Buck under the bus, and attempted to wash their hands clean of the matter.

In addition, Vogue's "political pieces" are mostly fluff articles that always paints the subject in a positive light.

While Anna Wintour may be good at backroom politics and maneuverings, I am doubtful of her skill and knowledge in the arena of international relations and policy. As Joan Juliet Buck wrote in her article on the Vogue treatment of her Al-Assad piece:

I handed in the piece on Jan. 14, the day President Ben Ali fled Tunisia. “The Arab Spring is spreading,” I told Vogue on Jan. 21. “You might want to hold the piece.”

They didn’t think the Arab Spring was going anywhere, and the piece was needed for the March “Power Issue.”

 

[Nemova]

^Couldn't agree more with you. She might be highly skilled in the inner workings of the politics of fashion but that absolutely does not make her qualified for a position that requires a deep understanding of world politics, History and human relations (something that US Vogue, being a fashion magazine, is obviously lacking).

 

[charliebalt]

I believe she would make an excellent ambassador. She has been in charge of Vogue for so many years & she managed to always do a great job. Anna definitely has the diplomacy and the social skills (after all, she coordinated the whole fashion industry for years and years), the right amount of rigor and discipline. Give this woman some credibility, ladies. She has embodied the powerful woman for some time now. And she is smart, too. Plus, I'd love to see Grace as EIC of Vogue US. She deserves it.

 

[ChristyLeReveur]

Even the suggestion is absurd and disgusting. People serve for decades in the foreign service to get promoted to the position of Ambassador - they are well experienced and well trained, and deserve the position due to their qualifications and skills as diplomats.

Apparently the US is notorious for appointing random Presidential supporters and donors as Ambassadors all over the world. In general other countries do not do this (although unfortunately the ultimate 'top-jobs', like being sent as Ambassador to Washington) because they appreciate that your Ambassador should be a skilled career diplomat and not just some random person who happens to be well connected. That's nepotistic and revolting.

Besides, what did Anna Wintour do to even be considered? Did she donate millions for his campaign, or is she going to put Michelle Obama on a Vogue cover

You're so right. Besides her connections, I don't think she will make a good diplomat.

 

[iluvjeisa]

I think this is quite likely true.

She would be quite excellent, I should think.