Anna Wintour's Vogue Cover with Meryl Streep: A Strategic Power Play
In a bold and unprecedented move, Anna Wintour, the iconic editor, has graced the cover of Vogue's May issue alongside Meryl Streep. This rare appearance is not merely a promotional stunt for the upcoming sequel to The Devil Wears Prada but a calculated power play that signals a significant shift in Wintour's role from elusive editor to a carefully curated personal brand.
From Mock-Up to Mainstream: A Cover That Defies Tradition
Traditionally, when a magazine staffer departs, colleagues create a personalised mock-up cover as a farewell gesture. However, Wintour's cover is no joke—it's the real deal, set to hit newsstands on April 28. The cover line, "Seeing Double. When Miranda met Anna," cleverly references Streep's character Miranda Priestly, the fictional editor-in-chief of Runway, who is widely believed to be inspired by Wintour. Both women are dressed in Prada, adding a playful twist to the imagery.
This marks the first time an editor has placed themselves as the subject on Vogue's cover, a departure from Wintour's previous appearances on industry titles like Interview in 1993 and Ad Week in 2017. The cover was first teased on Vogue's Instagram, where it quickly went viral, amassing over 1.2 million likes and enthusiastic comments from celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Mindy Kaling, as well as the general public.
More Than a Sequel Plug: A Personal Power Move
While the cover promotes The Devil Wears Prada 2, its significance runs deeper. It serves as a klaxon for the next phase of Anna Wintour's career, coming just 10 months after she announced she was "stepping back" as editor-in-chief of Vogue and six months after promoting Chloe Malle to head of editorial content. By appearing on the cover, Wintour affirms that she remains in control of the magazine she has helmed for nearly four decades.
Mark Borkowski, a press consultant and author, describes this as "a hell of a smart move," noting that Wintour believes she is the power, not just sitting in a powerful chair. Her current roles as chief content officer for Condé Nast and global editorial director allow her to retain ultimate authority while delegating day-to-day operations to Malle.
Behind the Scenes: Authority and Persuasion
The ideation of the cover highlights Wintour's enduring influence. In her editor's letter, Chloe Malle recounts pitching the idea while in the backseat of Wintour's town car—a subtle power move reminiscent of the film. Wintour initially dismissed it, saying it wasn't her style, but Streep ultimately persuaded her after a direct call from Wintour.
Historically, Wintour was dismissive of the first film in 2006, though she attended the premiere in Prada. Recently, she has embraced the caricature of Miranda Priestly, describing it as enjoyable and fun. Social media videos from the shoot show Streep staying in character while Wintour plays herself, fumbling lines and laughing, presenting a warm contrast to Priestly's icy demeanor.
Shaping Legacy and Personal Brand
This cover allows Wintour to separate herself from the Vogue brand and establish "Anna Wintour" as a standalone entity. Borkowski suggests she is leveraging the film to build her personal narrative, moving beyond her iconic haircut and sunglasses. Amy Odell, author of Anna: The Biography, compares it to how other public figures have used Vogue covers to reshape their legacies, such as Hillary Clinton in 1998 or Kim Kardashian in 2014.
Wintour's engagement with the franchise, including joking references at the Oscars and featuring the original novel in the Vogue Book Club, underscores this strategic shift. As Priestly famously quipped, "There is no one who can do what I do," and with all eyes on Wintour's cover rather than the film's trailer, the same might still be said today.
