The highs and lows of Anna Wintour and Kim Kardashian’s friendship

Fans were left feeling uncomfortable as they observed Anna Wintour seemingly ignoring or rejecting Kim Kardashian during a Paris Fashion Week show on Friday.

The Vogue Editor-in-Chief, 73, seemed to visibly cold-shoulder the reality star, 42, as she arrived to Victoria Beckham’s 2024 Spring/Summer show in a glamorous pastel pink gown. 

However, although numerous individuals were left cringing at the uncomfortable interaction, this is not the initial instance where speculations about conflicts have emerged between the prominent fashion brand and the creator of SKIMS.

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at the alleged strains the duo have endured in their working relationship, which looks to have began in 2013 after Kanye West reportedly ‘begged’ Anna to put his then-fiancée on the iconic magazine’s cover.

Kim has been featured on the cover of American Vogue three times and has also appeared on its international editions.

Since her first appearance at the event a decade ago, she has consistently attended the prestigious Met Gala, an event organized by Anna.

The duo has even taken a selfie together, with the Vogue editor, who has been nicknamed Nuclear Wintour, showing a rare smile for the photo.

However, there is a background of a history of subtle criticism from Anna, as well as controversies surrounding Kim’s ex-husband Ye, who played a significant role in her entry into the fashion industry.

FASHION WEEK ‘SNUBS’

Fans strongly believe that Anna Wintour deliberately ignored Kim Kardashian at Victoria Beckham’s Spring/Summer fashion show for 2024, which took place during Paris Fashion Week on Friday.

In a video, the famous person from a reality show arrived and took a seat beside the chief editor of Vogue. It appeared as though the editor intentionally changed seats to avoid being near Kim.

It has been verified that Anna and Kim sat next to each other throughout the entire show.

Fans interpreted Anna’s body language as a clear sign that she was purposefully disregarding the founder of SKIMS after she showed up tardy to the high-profile event.

It appeared from a video that Anna, who was accompanied by both Kim and David Beckham, had gotten up and distanced herself from Kim, as Anna was not visible in the video.

In the video, Kim was seen talking to ex-football player David and appeared to silently say: ‘I feel extremely guilty’.

Fans started speculating that Anna had ignored the Disney star after watching the video. They went on X, previously known as Twitter, and made jokes about how it seems unlikely that Kim will be invited to the prestigious Met Gala next year.

Did Anna ignore her and then change seats?

Another said: ‘Anna’s body language’.

A third person wrote, “Kimberly should address the issue with Anna.”

Someone else commented, stating that Kim will not be receiving another invitation to the Met Gala.

Page Six has verified that the duo sat beside each other throughout the entire show and were captured in photos conversing before Anna left.

Kim has previously experienced a situation where she seemed to be rejected by Anna at the Fendi Spring 2023 show in New York City last year, which was a significant blow to her fashion reputation.

After the event’s conclusion, Kim appeared to approach Anna to greet her. However, Anna, who is known for being cold and distant, chose to acknowledge Sarah Jessica Parker instead, who was standing beside Kim. This action has been widely seen as a deliberate disregard or rejection.

A TikTok video of the current situation gained immense popularity as numerous users shared their own interpretations of the uncomfortable encounter.

THROWING SHADE AT NON-‘TASTEFUL’ KIMYE COVER

In 2014, Anna stood up for her highly criticized choice to feature Kim and Ye on the April edition of Vogue. However, even though she praised the former couple, she seemed to imply that the decision lacked good judgment.

The magazine editor expressed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, as reported by Fashionista, that having only tasteful individuals on the cover would make the magazine dull.

She mentioned that Vogue was never intended to please everyone, even from its inception.

The editor clarified that Madonna was the first celebrity to grace the cover of Vogue, which was deemed highly controversial back then as well.

“It happened so long ago that it’s likely no one remembers, but she used to be a highly debated individual. Nowadays, she is considered a prominent member of the established system.”

Anna emphasized the significance of Vogue reflecting modern culture, including its more controversial aspects. She stated that it is crucial for people to discuss the magazine in order to maintain its relevance.

The editor’s praise for Kendall Jenner in her new role as the face of Estee Lauder contradicts their earlier implication that they do not find the Kardashian family ‘tasteful’.

She expressed admiration for the excellent choice made by the company. Their brand, deeply rooted in American tradition, is being refreshed to appeal to a new target audience. Occasionally, it is necessary to make such bold moves.

FULL OF PRAISE FOR KENDALL… WITH A SUBTLE DIG AT KIM’S MODESTY 

Although Anna and Kim have publicly displayed their friendship, it seems that the fashion icon has always had a fondness for her sister Kendall Jenner.

She has been full of praise for the model, 27 – and in a stark contrast to scenes between Kim and Anna at Paris Fashion Week on Friday, Anna and the supermodel were seen giggling together at Milan Fashion Week last month. 

In a 2019 interview, the fashion mogul not only praised the oldest Kar-Jenner daughter but also indirectly criticized Kim’s previous fashion decisions.

The editor of Vogue participated in the publication’s video series called Go Ask Anna, where people on the street have the opportunity to ask the fashion expert any question they have.

When a fan inquired about Anna’s opinion on the fashion sense of the Kardashian family, she praised their ability to build a successful empire based on their individuality and their mother’s creative brilliance.

In the video interview, she acknowledged that Kendall was the individual from the prominent family whom Vogue has collaborated with the most.

The supermodel began her modeling career at the tender age of 14 and has since graced numerous Vogue covers and pages.

Anna praised Kendall for her determination in her thriving modeling career, despite doubts from others.

She expresses herself openly and directly when discussing her desire to be a model, her enjoyment of being a model, and the effort she has put into it… I wish for her to keep pursuing it.

Anna commented that out of all the people, Kim is the one who has potentially undergone the most changes.

I really appreciate how she has started dressing in a more minimal and modest way.

KANYE ARE CIRCULATINGHER FAMILY

Despite previous reports that Vogue’s legendary editor-in-chief had excluded Kim and her family from the exclusive soiree, she has been a regular attendee at the Met Gala for the past ten years.

Earlier in the year, Page Six ignited widespread speculation that the occasion would not include any Kardashians, as there were rumors that Wintour was being strict with the guest list for 2023.

Kim attended the Met Gala for the first time in 2013 alongside her then-husband Ye. This marked a significant moment for the reality star, as she had previously been excluded from Wintour’s competitive guest list.

Anna’s purported newfound discernment arose following criticism of the event in recent times for extending invitations to less prominent celebrities, including certain influencers.

Kim has participated in eight Met Galas since her debut in 2013, and last year was a significant occasion for her family as the Kar-Jenner clan took over the event.

This was the inaugural occasion in which all the sisters – Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie – along with their mother Kris Jenner, were extended an invitation to the 2022 event.

Kim made her debut at the Met Gala alongside Kanye in 2013, but it received harsh criticism on social media. Numerous users likened her cheerful floral dress to a vintage sofa design.

However, the fashion icon did not allow that unfortunate mistake to discourage her. Instead, she has made a comeback every year and consistently impressed with her stunning outfits.

Kim showcased the ‘initial creation in two decades’ by the deceased fashion icon Thierry Mugler as she made her entrance at the 2019 event wearing a sparkling nude-colored gown that accentuated her figure and had hanging crystals resembling rain droplets.

In 2021, following the cancellation of the event in 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, she made a comeback with her most daring appearance yet. She wore a black Balenciaga bodysuit with a lengthy train and a black mask that concealed her entire head.

The bondage-style look was a far cry from the more traditional glamour she showed off at last year’s ceremony when she wore the dress that Marilyn Monroe famously had on when she sang Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy.

CUTTING TIES WITH KANYE 

Vogue made a statement last year stating that they will no longer collaborate with Ye due to a number of controversies involving the 46-year-old rapper. It is believed that Ye played a significant role in Kim’s professional connection with the magazine.

Vogue’s representative informed Page Six that there are no plans for the fashion magazine or its editor-in-chief Anna Wintour to collaborate with the rapper known as Gold Digger in the future.

The spokesperson mentioned that West’s expressions of anti-Semitism and his endorsement of the controversial White Lives Matter movement were the main factors behind their decision to create some distance.

Anna and Ye have been in a long-term relationship, with Anna first inviting him to the Met Gala in 2009. Recently, she was seen modeling sunglasses for West’s Yeezy brand.

However, the influential figure in fashion has also publicly denied allegations that Ye was solely responsible for advocating for Kim to be featured on the cover of Vogue.

In the Editor’s Letter for Vogue’s Shape Issue in April 2014, she mentioned that there were rumors about Kanye requesting his fiancée to be featured on the cover of Vogue.

“He did not engage in any such actions. The rumors may be more captivating, but the undeniable truth remains that they are false.”

On the cover, which Anna described as being Kim wore a garment that was both delightful and moving. strapless Lanvin wedding gown with her ex-fiancé standing behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist.

She went on to applaud Kim’s ‘strength of character’, writing: ‘The Kardashian Wests have successfully mastered almost every aspect of modern media, and there are valid reasons for their accomplishments.

‘Kanye is an amazing performer and cultural provocateur, while Kim, through her strength of character, has created a place for herself in the glare of the world’s spotlight, and it takes real guts to do that.’

Anna, who has been editing the magazine since 1988, also said that Vogue has always had a strong tradition of showcasing individuals who embody and shape the current culture, disrupt norms, and have a significant impact on the world, ultimately influencing our perception of it.

“I believe we can all concur that Kim and Kanye are embodying that role perfectly,” she wrote. “(Or maybe it should be spelled with a K?)”