When Lauren Weisberger published her debut
novel in 2003 it was met with polarizing opinions. Some loves its insights and
almost cruel mocking of the fashion world and its elite, whilst others detested its
critical gaze on fashion and above all, it’s thinly veiled roman à clef of none
other than Vogue magazine and
Weisberger’s former boss Anna Wintour. Some critics accused Weisberger of
writing ‘bite-back’ fiction towards her former employer whilst others loved the
mocking images of the ‘clackers’ (dubbed so because of the sound of their heels
against the ground) and people who consider “calling in fat” to work. When the movie
was released in 2006 starring the incomparable Meryl Streep and the ever-demure
Anne Hathaway we see the visual representation of that mockery from small
touches like Miranda Priestly’s office being eerily similar to Anna Wintour’s
(prompting Wintour to recorate) and the utter callousness that Miranda treats
Andy with. In many ways the movie improved dramatically on the ‘chick-lit’ book, not least because of Streep’s performance and plot changes. But the question
still remains however, even all these years later, is Anna Wintour deserving of the association with the character entitled ‘the Devil’?
And I can assure you she
doesn’t just wear Prada.
She also wears Chanel.
Anna Wintour and Miranda Priestly
