Anna Wintour MasterClass Review (Is It Better)

I have always been a creative kid since childhood, but I was nothing when it came to decision-making and leadership. Yes, I lacked those skills.

I used to struggle if I was appointed as a leader, even in a small group activity at school. Years later, I still struggle with leadership and teamwork. I decided it was high time to take a course on leadership and develop the skill as soon as possible.

That’s when I stumbled upon Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, where she teaches creativity and leadership, which felt like a win-win situation.

In this article, you’ll get to see a full-fledged review of Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, how the lessons are, who it is best suited to, what I liked, etc.

If you are wondering, I also answer the ultimate verdict of “Is Anna Wintour’s MasterClass worth it or not?” towards the end.

A Short Summary:

If you are running out of time, here is a short summary of Anna Wintour’s MasterClass.

You get to learn the following:

• How to plan
• Executing vision
• Building a brand
• Working with a team
• How to be a creative leader
• Insight into Vogue’s work culture
• How to plan
• Executing vision
• Building a brand
• Working with a team
• How to be a creative leader
• Insight into Vogue’s work culture

The number of lessons: 18 lessons

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Suitable for: Budding entrepreneurs in the fashion industry, anyone trying to enhance their leadership skills, young professionals struggling to manage a team, and Fans of Anna Wintour trying to get some insights into her life

Quick verdict: Anna Wintour’s MasterClass felt like using a “how to be a creative leader” kit. With heavy insight into her life, usage of practical examples, and a visual demonstration of Vogue’s work culture, it was a great learning experience.

Who is Anna Wintour?

Anna Wintour started as a journalist in New York City, and now she has been working for Vogue as editor-in-chief since 1988. She is also the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of Condé Nast. She has worked with countless designers in America, and with them, she has nurtured Vogue Fashion. For her work, she has also received a lifetime achievement award from CFDA.

Anna has been working in the fashion industry since the 70s, and because of her demanding nature, people gave her the nickname “Nuclear Wintour.” If you want to learn about leadership and creative skills, then Anna Wintour’s MasterClass is a great option for you. She has taught about these in four different sections in this MasterClass.

A glimpse into Anna Wintour’s MasterClass:

Anna Wintour’s MasterClass covers everything from building a team to working with designers to managing a fashion magazine to whatnot.

Her MasterClass is well-structured and broken down into 12 valuable lessons, which take only 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

Each lesson has an average of 10-15 minutes of watch time in Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, which does not feel that long.

You also get an exclusive workbook as a downloadable PDF with detailed explanations and excerpts from Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, which is excellent.

Anna Wintour’s MasterClass Lessons Explained:

Learning leadership from one of the greatest minds in the world was a blessing.

Anna Wintour’s teaching was simple but significant. She also gave several powerful tips on leading a team, which was quite insightful.

Her lessons were impeccable, and to cover it all might seem like a difficult task; hence, let me quickly highlight the best takeaways from her MasterClass.

1. Say hello to Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour introduces herself and instantly dives into the subject of the course.

She talks about her childhood and early experience, which helped her become a creative leader, and how fashion has played a significant role in her life.

"If you can't be better than your competition, just dress better."

You also get an insightful lesson on how Anna Wintour entered Vogue and has changed the game completely, in a good way, of course.

Later, she lists down what you will be learning ahead in her course.

2. Managing a team and building leadership

Anna talks about essential qualities that every leader should possess.

Like, she mentions being engaging, making decisions, considering ideas by the team, and how to manage time efficiently. Some effective management tips are shared.

"Fashion is not beautiful, neither is it ugly. Why should it be either? Fashion is fashion."

She teaches her students how to deal with deadlines and rejections and claims that are what make a leader stronger.

You also get to see an exclusive Vogue meeting happening in her MasterClass, for which she also gives context and discusses the objective of the meeting.

Decision-making and listening are two essential things to consider, she adds.

3. How to make a decision

Although you might think decision-making is not a big deal and anybody can do it quickly. Of course, you can trust your instincts and go with the flow, but some moral teaching on making a decision is helpful. That’s what Anna explains.

She discusses how making a decision should resonate with the team and be open to everyone to consider or have something to say about it.

"I'm interested in seeing just the girl on the street because she is unlike any other. I'm inspired by whatever it is she might be wearing."

I was hooked on the fact that she decided to talk about the controversies along with the lessons, used it as a case study, and suggested ways to make decisions.

NOTE: Anna Wintour shares some failures and rejections in Lesson 4.

4. Executing vision 

Anna takes you through the transformation of the Met Gala, which is impressive.

She uses the Met Gala as a case study and talks about her role in leading it. Wintour briefs about her vision, what the plan is, the collaborations, and many more.

"Fashion can tell you everything that's going on in the world with a strong fashion image."

You basically get a closer view of how the planning of the Met Gala works. I didn’t know she would include this confidential matter in her course, but I am glad she did.

5. The power of a brand

There is something about a brand image, right? Anna suggests making use of it. I used to think it might not be useful, but she recommends leveraging the brand.

"Just dress better. Create your own style, let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others."

She also points out that to remember the decisions you make because that will reflect on the brand’s reputation, which is precious while growing a brand.

While speaking for the brand, Anna told her students to be confident in delivering the right words at the right time, which felt understandable, and I instantly agreed with it.

6. Designing leadership

Although you might have expected that Anna might be giving out advice on leadership in general, she did, but not entirely.

After talking about executing visions at the Met Gala, she eventually jumped into the designer’s spectrum. The collaborations and partnerships with legendary designers.

"Everyone should get sacked at least once. It forces you to look at yourself. It is important to have setbacks because that is the reality of life."

I mean, showcasing eye-catching designs and making the clothes do the talking for the readers. The designs that she talks about are world-class-level outfits.

You get to learn about dealing with designers via partnerships, leading a business in the fashion industry, and running a fashion magazine of luxury design costumes.

A few lessons might not be engaging and relatable, but it was evident that she tried her best to teach leadership and creativity in her style, which was well-executed.

Who is recommended to take Anna Wintour’s MasterClass?

Anna Wintour’s style of teaching leadership qualities was much clearer and had a different approach to understanding it as a skill. Also, while taking Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, I noticed she relentlessly talked about being a leader.

It did not feel like she planned to teach me how to become a leader instead of how to be an influential leader. Hence, I would recommend Anna Wintour’s MasterClass:

• Budding entrepreneurs in the fashion industry
• Anyone trying to enhance their leadership skills
• Young professionals struggling to manage a team
• Fans of Anna Wintour trying to get some insights into her life
• Budding entrepreneurs in the fashion industry
• Anyone trying to enhance their leadership skills
• Young professionals struggling to manage a team
• Fans of Anna Wintour trying to get some insights into her life

Apart from that, I would suggest everyone take Anna Wintour’s MasterClass because her course is so versatile that you’ll walk out with some effective learning and understanding, even if you are not a leader, boss, or entrepreneur.

What did I like about Anna Wintour’s MasterClass?

As I was taking Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, I loved a few things about the course. They are:

Insight into the Fashion Industry 👗

The moment I found out that Anna Wintour was teaching a course in MasterClass, I knew that there would be some insightful lessons on building a brand, working with designers, and approaching fashion companies, and I was right.

There was a deep dive into the work culture of Vogue, specifically. Along with it, you also get a sneak peek into the planning of the Met Gala, which was amusing to witness.

You will basically get complete access to the world of fashion, from collaborating with photographers to dealing with the brand image in Anna Wintour’s MasterClass.

Learning from a Legend

The experience of learning a full-fledged course by an iconic editor-in-chief was impeccable. Generally, an instructor with a few years of experience in the field has some advice to give to their students, but Anna Wintour had so much.

She gave away a lot of practical tips while teaching the lessons. At times, even the slightest of ideas are considered the most prominent tip from her.

I relentlessly kept noting down every piece of advice she’d deliver in her MasterClass.

The Work Culture at Vogue 

Usually, the instructors in MasterClass talk about their experience and skim through their work only, but Anna Wintour stepped ahead and literally showed us her work.

From giving seminars to attending editorial meetings to preparing the guestlist for the Met Gala to contacting designers, she actually shows the workflow in her MasterClass, which was quite unique compared to other courses in MasterClass.

You also get to see how things work at Vogue. Anna is transparent with it, which becomes beneficial and insightful for her students to know her work culture.

Quick Summary

Although quick summaries can only be seen in the description of a review written by a third person, you get it at the end of each lesson in Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, which was surprising.

I mean, I haven’t taken these in other MasterClass courses that I have taken, but it was really helpful to know what I have learned through each lesson.

Even if I didn’t take notes for a specific lesson, these quick summaries came in handy.

• Learn 👗 Creativity And Leadership From Anna Wintour
• Learn How To Make A Brand Successful
• Easy To Grasp Lessons
• Learn 👗 Creativity And Leadership From Anna Wintour
• Learn How To Make A Brand Successful
• Easy To Grasp Lessons

What I feel can be improved in Anna Wintour’s MasterClass?

Despite loving most of the things in Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, a few downsides got me questioning about taking the course. They are:

Constrained to fashion

Although several lessons shared by Anna Wintour are ideal for all situations and students, few lessons were applicable and helpful in the world of fashion.

Like, collaborating with designers and working with photographers cannot be relatable to students who are entrepreneurs in other niche industries.

Uncommon for all

As mentioned earlier, Anna Wintour’s leadership style and examples used in her MasterClass are quite unfamiliar and new to the students enrolled, which is fair on the one hand, but on the other hand, it does not give value since it lacks resonance.

I mean, examples like preparing for the Met Gala or arranging a photo shoot for a celebrity do not resonate and give anything in terms of value to her students.

What is the cost of Anna Wintour’s MasterClass?

Currently, MasterClass offers only a yearly subscription plan that can cost around $180/- per year (billed as $15/- per month).

You can use this opportunity and make the most benefit out of it. For example, while taking Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, I learned negotiation from an FBI hostage negotiator, which was incredible.

You have countless options, so what are you waiting for? Buy the All-Access Pass, take multiple courses, and build life-changing skills efficiently.

Alternatives to Anna Wintour’s MasterClass:

If you are still not convinced enough to take Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, I have other excellent options closely related under the same category.

Even if you are not satisfied with the teaching in Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, you can take the recommended alternatives below, which are available in MasterClass:

Despite taking Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, you can still access all the alternatives listed above without paying a single penny extra because of the All-Access Pass.

The All-Access Pass allows you to take multiple courses simultaneously at ease.

I mean, if you are interested in taking other courses along with Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, you can take it without any hassles.

Final verdict – “Is Anna Wintour’s MasterClass worth it in 2024?”

Anna Wintour’s MasterClass felt like using a “how to be a creative leader” kit. That is literally how it was like taking Anna Wintour’s MasterClass at least for me.

With heavy insight into her life, usage of practical examples, and visual demonstration of Vogue’s work culture, Anna Wintour tried to perfect her MasterClass, and it did work.

Her MasterClass allowed me to enhance my creativity and helped boost my leadership qualities from within. The workbook provided was excellent.

Although few tips on managing a team and decision-making were really effective, majorly, it was constrained only to fashion and professionals related to it.

Overall, it was a great learning experience from the legend Anna Wintour because it is nearly impossible to take courses handled by celebrities. Thanks to MasterClass!

Speaking of MasterClass, along with Anna Wintour’s MasterClass, I’d definitely recommend taking other leadership courses using the All-Access Pass. I hope this Anna Wintour MasterClass review suits your purpose well.

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