Anna Wintour has revealed her most significant achievement in her 36 years as Vogue editor-in-chief.
The 74-year-old British editor reflected on her early career at the American fashion bible in the new Disney+ documentary series, In Vogue: The 90s, which is available to stream on Friday.
After being appointed editor-in-chief in 1988, Anna, who had lost several friends to AIDS, organised the charity fundraiser ‘7th on Sale’.
During the four-day event, more than 100 designers, including Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Donna Karan, donated $20 million worth of products, which were then sold for a fraction of their retail price to raise money for the New York City AIDS Fund.
The mother of two explained: “The fashion community was one of the hardest hit (by the AIDS epidemic). A lot of people we cared about a lot were affected.
Pictured: Vogue editor Anna Wintour, 74, at Marc Jacobs’ autumn/winter 2024 show in New York in July. The editor has collaborated on a new Disney+ series
“It’s hard to think about it now, but there was really a fear of talking about HIV or the disease itself. It just wasn’t talked about.”
However, the Vogue editor says she was motivated to act when she lost her close friend Alan Buchsbaum, who was an architect and designer, to illness in 1987.
She explained: “(He was) one of the first people I met when I moved to New York (in 1976) and we spent a lot of time with him.”
The editor seemed visibly emotional as she detailed how Alan told her ex-husband David Shaffer that not being able to see their son Charles grow up was his “biggest regret.”
Following the loss of Alan, Anna says there was an “urgent need” to raise awareness and money.
He added: “It wasn’t a question of whether we should do this, but how to do it, how quickly, how can we make a statement that reaches not only our community, but the entire world.”
Anna said the idea behind the 7th on Sale event was to create a “street fair,” where designers would sell their clothes and accessories at their respective booths.
Reflecting on his experience at the event, Michael Kors said: ‘Sometimes in fashion you feel like what you do is light or superficial.
Anna Wintour pictured with French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier at the Seventh on Sale AIDS charity in July 1990
Photographer Steven Meisel, director Herb Ritts and supermodel Christy Turlington attend the Seventh on Sale charity event in New York in 1990.
Fashion designers Bill Blass and Donna Karan try on a Blass evening gown at the 7th Ave on Sale AIDS charity sale
David Bowie and supermodel Iman arrive at the 7th Annual On Sale AIDS Benefit at the Lexington Avenue Armory in Manhattan
“But in this case we thought, ‘Wow, what we do can really make a difference.'”
At the time, Anna told a television reporter that the event had raised more than $1 million before even a single item had been sold.
Recalling the event 34 years later, Anna said: ‘7th on Sale, as small as it was, really changed the conversation.’
Despite having been the chairwoman of the Met Gala for the past 29 years, Anna says this fundraiser for AIDS is the true highlight of her career.
The Vogue editor added: “When I look back on my career, I honestly have to say that initiative is the one I am most proud of.”
Elsewhere in the documentary, Jean Paul Gaultier revealed that his boyfriend died of AIDS, while Tom Ford said he lost seven friends to the disease.
Pictured: Anna Wintour with the late Karl Largerfeld at the Seventh on Sale event in New York in 1990
The Vogue editor says she was motivated to act when she lost her close friend Alan Buchsbaum, who was an architect and designer, to illness in 1987.
Before moving to Vogue in 1981, Anna had previously worked at Harpers & Queen in London and Harper’s Bazaar in the United States.
She said of her promotion to Vogue editor-in-chief: ‘Conde Nast (appointed me) because it was time for a change.
‘Under the previous leadership, every Vogue cover looked the same (…) sometimes you just have to tear it all up and start over.’
Anna admitted she had “no plan” and said she set out to find a team of “brilliantly creative people” to work with as she spoke openly about her career at the fashion bible.
While on a flight from London to New York in 1989, Anna says she spoke to a “very conservative gentleman” who praised the magazine for back issues featuring Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.
After joking that Madonna would never appear on its cover, the editor said she had a moment of “inspirational insight” and decided to feature the “controversial” pop star.
Earlier this week, Lewis Hamilton revealed he “got fashion advice” from Anna as the pair watched the US Open final together in New York.
The 39-year-old British racing driver was out on Saturday to watch American Jessica Pegula take on Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Anna and Lewis greeted each other as they arrived for a day of tennis, before the fashion guru gave the F1 star some sartorial advice, The Sun said.
The couple, who are both tennis fans and attended Wimbledon together in 2018, were seen beaming as they greeted each other and chatted in the stands.
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