I worked for CondΓ© Nast at 4TS around the time that book came out. It was rumored you were not to bring that book into the building nor were you ever to make eye contact with Anna Wintour in the elevator. One day I was going down to the ballyhooed Gehry cafeteria for a freshly baked cookie. I was in the elevator by myself when the door opened and I instinctually proceeded to get out of the elevator. The floor was 17, Vogue. Guess who was getting on the elevator at the same time? Yes, I did the head bob side to side, face to face with Anna Wintour herself like we were on loop. I slinked back to the corner of the elevator as she got in. She surveyed me from the top of my head to the soles of my shoes then went to the opposite corner.
The whole way down I prayed silently. 'Please don't fire me, please don't fire me, please don't fire me.' I got back to my desk and started packing. I didn't even work at Vogue and waited for the email with my inevitable termination. I made it thorough the day with no such email.
Anna Wintour gets a bad rap. She's just a powerful woman who gets to the point and doesn't dilly dally or accept less than the best. I like to think I was looking pretty good that day. I was feeling good from my head to my shoes although I didn't quite know where I was going, but I knew what to do.