IN FEBRUARY’S American Vogue magazine, my counterpart Anna Wintour writes in her Editor’s letter of her dismay that Hillary Clinton pulled out of a photo shoot with the magazine on the grounds she might appear ‘too feminine’.
Piqued by the Senator’s non-appearance, Anna points out that it’s a sorry state of affairs when powerful women are not confident enough to display their femininity.
Instead of publishing what would no doubt have been an intelligent and supportive interview with Hillary, she instead confines herself to the more frivolous activity of suggesting some outfits Clinton might wear during the campaign purple Carolina Herrera for Martin Luther King Day, and white silk Calvin Klein for campaigning in Florida. I’m in entire agreement with Anna’s point of view, but I’m amazed she finds Hillary’s behaviour surprising.
In this country, it’s very difficult to get any highprofile women to agree to be photographed looking glamorous Politicians go out of their way to appear sexless and uninterested in matters of style, and with some reason look at the flak Tessa Jowell got when she was pictured with a Chloe handbag, and the criticism Theresa May faced for showing a hint of cleavage.
Many writers, artists, businesswomen and lawyers are also concerned about appearing in a magazine where they might be photographed looking their very best, for fear that it will in some way make them appear lightweight.
It seems ridiculous that, in an age when many male party leaders are elected largely because of their telegenic ability, women feel this ambivalence about their appearance and how they are perceived.
It also means that the women most often featured in magazines are necessarily drawn from a small pool of celebrity. How much more interesting and inspiring to be able to feature a richer mix.
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