Meryl streep and anna wintour: a rare conversation on power, fashion, and age
The Crosby Street Hotel suite buzzed with an almost palpable energy—a meeting of titans, orchestrated with meticulous planning and a dash of celebrity maneuvering. Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour, two icons whose influence spans decades and industries, sat down for a conversation moderated by filmmaker Greta Gerwig, an avowed devotee of The Devil Wears Prada. The result? A candid, insightful exchange about power dressing, aging gracefully, and the evolving landscape of fashion—a snapshot of how these women navigate a world forever shaped by their presence.
The enduring power of a coat
The initial banter, as one might expect, drifted to coats—a central motif in the original film. Streep, radiating warmth in a gauzy yellow pashmina, quipped, “I like coats. They cover all the sins of whatever else is underneath.” Wintour, her cashmere scarf a more structured egg yolk hue, added, “And they’re easy to try on.” This casual exchange immediately established a rapport, a playful acknowledgment of the shared history and the weight of expectation surrounding them.
Decoding the dress code: power and perception
Gerwig’s probing questions quickly delved deeper, tackling the complexities of female power and how it’s communicated through dress. Wintour, dismissing the notion of a mandatory “power suit,” pointed to Mrs. Obama as a prime example of effortless authority. “Whether she’s wearing J.Crew or Duro Olowu, she always looks like herself.” The conversation then shifted to the performative aspects of female dress—the subtle concessions, the constant negotiation of appearing “not threatening.” Streep, with characteristic eloquence, highlighted the double standard: “There’s an apology built into women. They have to show their smallness.”
Miranda priestly's legacy: a role for a changing world
The discussion inevitably turned to The Devil Wears Prada and the return of Miranda Priestly. Streep revealed her interest in the “business part of it,” the burden of responsibility carried by those at the top. “I wondered what they were going to do,” she mused, “now that these institutions are being undermined or exploded.” Wintour, confirming she’d personally sought Streep's approval before greenlighting the sequel, emphasized the enduring relevance of the film’s core message: “It showed the world what a huge business fashion is.”
Beyond the runway: age, experience, and the next generation
Gerwig, shifting gears, addressed the elephant in the room: age. “I can definitely say that from being on set with Meryl, everybody sits up a little straighter when you’re there,” she remarked, prompting a playful denial from Streep. But the conversation quickly evolved into a deeper reflection on aging and the wisdom that comes with experience. Wintour declared, “I feel as alive, excited, and aware as ever,” and Streep affirmed, “The indelible people don’t go. We keep them and they keep working.”
The exchange culminated in a poignant reflection on family and commitment. Streep, a grandmother of six, shared, “Life begins when you make a commitment,” a sentiment echoed by Wintour, who emphasized the importance of staying grounded in one's history and supporting loved ones. Ultimately, the conversation served as a reminder that true power lies not in fleeting trends or external validation, but in unwavering dedication, enduring relationships, and the courage to embrace the ever-evolving landscape of life.