Anna Wintour says that contrary to popular belief, she will take "no" for an answer.
The Vogue editor-in-chief was attending new London Lightroom exhibition, "VOGUE: Inventing the Runway," when she was interviewed by BBC and asked about the myths and misconceptions of her personality.
In the docuseries In Vogue: The 90s, designer Donatella Versace claimed that no one can tell Wintour "no," but Wintour, 75, firmly denied that's the case.
"That is absolutely untrue. They often say 'no,' but that’s a good thing. 'No' is a wonderful word," Wintour told BBC.
When asked if people are "frightened of her,' Wintour replied, "I hope not."
"I don’t really think about it," she continued when asked about her public persona. "What I’m really interested in is the creative aspect of my job."
What doesn't help Wintour's claims are the comparisons made between her and fierce Devil Wears Prada antagonist Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep and loosely based on Wintour.
But rather than denying the comparisons, Wintour, who watched the gala performance of the movie's new musical adaptation in London, said it's for "the audience and for the people I work with to decide if there are any similarities between me and Miranda Priestly."
Actress, singer, and former Miss America Vanessa Williams plays Miranda in the musical, for which Elton John wrote the score.
As for Wintour's signature black sunglasses, the Met Gala co-chair said she doesn't wear them for optics (pun intended).
“They help me see and they help me not see,” Wintour told BBC. "They help me be seen and not be seen. They are a prop, I would say."
It's possible—if not probable—that Wintour's frames will complete her look during the 2025 Met Gala on May 5, which she will co-chair alongside Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and honorary co-chair LeBron James.
The event's theme is based on Monica L. Miller book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, which also served as the inspiration for the Costume Institute's spring 2025 exhibition, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."
