The residue from the latest Met Gala keeps giving. The controversial Monday night still reverberates. Normally fashion’s biggest event centers on who is what and who. This year the social and economic revolt shook the very foundations of the Costume Institute’s grand gala. As the rich and famous ascended the stairs, demon stations overshadowed the charity fundraiser calling the gathering “Out of touch”. Suddenly an event sponsored billionaires, became a poison $44 million chalice. As the backlash continues to ripple, the most double take post hit social media. Fashion’s Grand Dame, Anna Wintour stood in front of graduates reciting a new narrative on career “struggles” endured during her working life, giving a story of overcoming.
Certainly, having a father, according to Wikipedia, arranged his offspring’s first job at Biba boutique, then possibly greased a movement into the world of fashion publications.
The daughter of Cambridge educated Charlie Wintour, Editor in Chief of the London Evening Standard newspaper, had it bad. Looking for shoulders to cry on, the Vogue editor could barely afford going to luxury department Bergdorf Goodman for that first party dress. Being an “outsider”, not getting notice, motivated the young go getter to one day reach the top of the luxury world heap, one connection at a time.
One day the Queen, three days later telling the world about humbled beginnings that included attending an elite school. Being born on the right side of the tracks must have been hard for the future Vogue head.
With this speech the Head of Content for Conde Nast looks to distance herself from the dame from the Red-Carpet ruckus. After all, as the person who decides on all the details of the Met Gala why take responsibility if the $100.000 per ticket affair generates bad blowback.
Social media commentators had none of this hard life story. Skewing what sounded like a feeble tone deaf pr stunt to recast herself as an underdog who just worked hard while moving up the velvet ladder.
Anyone can tell the tale, but who believes the tale is what matters.