'It's about asserting power': Anna Wintour hosts star-studded gala as tensions rise at Vogue

Some of the biggest names in fashion and Hollywood will descend on the Theater Royal Drury Lane in the West End on Thursday evening for an event hailed as London's answer to the Met Gala. /p>

Vogue World, described as "a multi-act celebration of British performing arts", was conceived by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour as a way to raising vital funds for London's struggling arts scene.

The hour-long evening will include a catwalk show and live performances overseen by Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry, with a lineup including Kate Moss, Stormzy, Idris Elba and Michaela Coel.

However, this isn't just another star-studded fundraiser.

With rumors of a behind-the-scenes power struggle between Wintour and outgoing British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, the event became a great opportunity for Wintour to reassert themselves as the most powerful person in fashion. While Vogue World is publicly credited as a show "jointly run" by the duo, insiders say that it really is "Wintour's baby."

"It's Anna who raises two fingers to everyone who thought she was finished," says a former staff member who preferred to remain anonymous. “It’s all about asserting your power. She's not stupid. »

Although the editor-in-chief of Vogue has always been a leader in the fashion field, since her appointment in 1988, Wintour has constantly worked to expand that position. a power that often exceeds the skills of a $1.7 trillion industry.

His close contacts now span entertainment, sports and politics. She has hosted fundraisers for Democrats, including Obama, and is said to be a close confidante and former advisor to tennis star Serena Williams. In 2014, the Metropolitan Museum in New York renamed its costume department the Anna Wintour Costume Institute.

Vogue World is an opportunity to present not so much its small but gargantuan black contact book.

Designer Michael Kors reportedly, at his request, moved his New York fashion week show from Thursday to Monday to ensure that models, including Irina Shayk and Ashley Graham, could take part in Wintour's own "runway extravaganza." Meanwhile, a promotional video for the event features London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Spice Girl turned designer Victoria Beckham, members of the Rambert Dance Company, model Naomi Campbell and Sir Ian McKellen.

< p class=" dcr-1jv7e0x">Since Enninful succeeded Alexandra Shulman as editor-in-chief of British Vogue in 2017, he has been touted as Wintour's replacement, with Condé Nast insiders describing him as the only "real threat" to his power. However, earlier this year a rift reportedly broke out over Enninful's attempts to overhaul the 130-year-old publication, including included an attempt to make her asexual.

In June, he somewhat unexpectedly announced that he was leaving the role and instead accepting a new global position at Condé Nast, which gave him the “freedom to take on broader creative projects.” ”.

Initially, this was seen as a pivot to position herself more as Wintour's successor.

However , this narrative has now changed. Some describe Enninful's new role as less of a promotion and more of a means to be "propelled up."

In December 2020, Wintour was named director Condé Nast's global content director, overseeing all of the company's content except The New Yorker, in addition to setting Vogue's strategy as global editorial director.