While completing preparations for her third edition of Vogue World, an entertainment extravaganza set to take place in Paris this month, Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, expressed optimism that the UK will adopt some of the French approach to fashion.
At Condé Nast’s London offices on Monday, she said, “I have not read what I assume will be the next prime minister’s stand on the arts but hopefully he can be convinced to support not only the arts organizations but also fashion in this country, which is such an important part of the economy.”
Though Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, frequently hosts events for designers at the Élysée Palace, recognizing the industry’s significance as France’s leading export sector, Wintour feels that the fashion industry in the UK is still misunderstood, despite its contribution of over £60 billion to the country’s economy.
“I’m not sure how knowledgeable prime ministers are about how many jobs the fashion industry creates in this country or how important it is to [London] in so many different ways, but over the years I’ve seen them host events at Downing Street and say all the right things.”
She expressed hope that the incoming prime minister would be receptive to her ideas and that “we can all lobby the government to do more.”
Dismissing any speculation about her returning to the British capital, Wintour stated, “I love spending time here, but New York is very much my home.” She also discussed the significance of fashion in French culture.
“I recall my driver welcoming me with what seemed like a stream of tears when I arrived in Paris for Yves Saint Laurent’s farewell couture presentation in 2002. The entire city is impacted by fashion. They understand its significance and its importance to their culture.
The third edition of Vogue World will take place in this fashion capital on June 23 at the Place Vendôme. More than 500 celebrities, including models Ashley Graham and Kendall Jenner, will be in attendance, along with Olympian athletes (the event will have a sports theme) and surprise musical acts who will descend on the first-arrondissement square alongside 800 public ticketed seats.
The event, which is scheduled to run less than 60 minutes and is being planned by Wintour and her international team, is expected to be remembered as a fashion coup in French history. “Of course, it’s a huge undertaking,” she replied when asked if she gets frightened.
Wintour, who has served as Condé Nast’s global chief content officer since 2020, said she is actively collaborating with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo on the celebration of 100 years of French fashion. Hidalgo, according to her, has been “amazing from the word go.” She is aware of our goals and the people we are attempting to honor.
The Paris edition of Vogue World comes after the magazine’s debut in 2022, when Serena Williams walked around the cobblestone streets of New York’s Meatpacking District while musician Lil Nas X performed.
A September edition in London solidified Wintour’s status as the most influential person in fashion, as she convinced everyone from Ian McKellen to Kate Moss and Stormzy to participate, raising over £2 million for arts organizations in the city.
This time, the profits from ticket sales will benefit Secours Populaire, a French nonprofit organization that encourages youngsters to participate in sports. Tickets for the third row start at £1,895. Aspiring athletes and fashion students will receive complimentary admission.
The goal of the campaign, according to US Vogue’s creative editorial director Mark Guiducci, is to earn at least €1 million, but with the help of several organizations and individual donations, it is anticipated that the total will be far higher.
The event’s fashion material, which will include ensembles from every decade since 1924—the last time the Olympics were held in Paris—will be overseen by fashion historian Alexandre Samson, Off-White creative director Ibrahim Kamara, and French fashion editor Carine Roitfeld. According to Wintour, their goal is to pay tribute to former designers as well as those who are “very much part of the French scene today.”
Every decade will have a corresponding sport, such as breakdancing or cycling, and designs from brands like Balenciaga and Chanel. A live feed will be hosted by Cara Delevingne. “Watching it live will be the best seat in the house if a ticket isn’t an option for you,” Guiducci stated.
When asked about the increasing connection between fashion and sport, such as the tenniscore trend of this summer, Wintour stated, “It’s interesting to see how sport has really infiltrated all of fashion over the years that I’ve worked with Vogue.”
“Just as we have done with singers, theater, and film, at Vogue we have always embraced the world of sport and blended it with the world of fashion. I believe that today’s athletes are worldwide superstars of the present and the future, and fashion is so welcoming. The time is ideal.
