Feign Confidence, Get Sacked and Rise Early: Anna Wintour’s Secrets to Success

She’s arguably the most powerful woman in fashion, recognised the world over for her icy demeanour, signature bob and trademark sunglasses.

So just how did Anna Wintour, the British editor-in-chief of American Vogue, become such a household name?

In an interview with Alistair Campbell for his latest book Winners And How They Succeed, Wintour dishes the dirt her achievements.

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Despite have the nickname ‘Nuclear Wintour’, the 65-year-old reveals she is often not as self-assured as she appears to be.

However, her ‘fake it til you make it’ attitude helps her take control of situations in a professional environment.

“It makes it clearer for everyone else. Most people prevaricate. I decide fast,” she says in a book extract published in the Sunday Times’ Style magazine.

Now also the editorial director of Conde Nast, which includes publications such as The New Yorker and Wired as well as Vogue, Wintour credits getting fired from her position as Harper's Bazaar junior fashion editor for influencing her pathway to prosperity.

“Everyone should be sacked at least once in their career because perfection doesn't exist,” she says.

“It's important to have setbacks, because that is the reality of life.”

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Wintour says she is a firm believer in letting other people’s talents shine and not micro-managing anyone, because “people work better when they have responsibility”.

The 5am riser says there is no magic formula to getting to the top, but it helps to get up early and be organised, while ensuring to switch off at the weekend.