Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 89
May 4, 2022
A Look Inside Ripley’s JFK Collection
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
This year marks the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s 45th birthday gala and is the perfect opportunity to explore our collection of President Kennedy’s artifacts!
Dress to ImpressMarilyn Monroe’s dress from the birthday celebration is the world’s most expensive dress ever sold at auction. It was purchased for $4.8 million, but with taxes and fees, the dress surpassed $5 million! Believe it or Not!, the dress is currently valued at a staggering $10 million!
Marilyn Monroe at President Kennedy’s 45th birthday celebration on May 19, 1962. Credit: Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston
While this is Ripley’s most expensive item, it is only one of around 25,000 items in the Ripley’s exhibit collection valued at $125 million! Our collection includes historically significant artifacts, unique and incredible art, cultural relics, quirks of nature, pop culture memorabilia, and, of course Robert Ripley’s personal effects.
Let’s dive into some of the most fascinating artifacts of our JFK collection!
Another Year OlderCelebrating the 60th anniversary of the New York birthday event, Ripley’s possesses the Madison Square Garden birthday gala ticket from 1962! The event functioned as a fundraiser for the Democratic Party, and according to newspaper and film accounts from the evening, the birthday celebration was attended by over 15,000 guests!
Our collection also includes an original Kennedy “birthday salute” poster which served to advertise the star-studded evening to the public around New York City.
An invitation ticket for “President Kennedy’s Birthday Party – Gala All Star Show.”
Rare advertising poster promoting “New York’s Birthday Salute to President Kennedy.”
Brace YourselfAnother unbelievable item in our John F. Kennedy collection is the back brace that was used throughout President Kennedy’s time in office. President Kennedy suffered chronic back pain starting in his early twenties and underwent multiple operations with little success.
Throughout his term, President Kennedy frequented the use of back braces to combat his chronic pain. Believe it or Not!, many believe that the use of his back brace played a fatal role in his assassination, with some experts pointing to the stiffness of the brace and President Kennedy’s inability to bend his body to avoid incoming fire.
President John F. Kennedy’s personal back brace gifted by Rose Kennedy to their personal family physician Dr. Robert D. Watt.
Related to the unfortunate assassination of President Kennedy, Ripley’s owns the black and chrome 1954 sedan that was used by Lee Harvey Oswald on the day he shot the President.
Oswald did not have a driver’s license and would regularly have his neighbor and close friend, Buell Wesley Frazier, drive him to work.
On the morning of November 22, 1963, Frazier drove Oswald to the Texas School Book Depository. In the back seat of the car, wrapped in paper, was the rifle that Oswald would use later that day to assassinate President Kennedy. Frazier, at the time, believed that the wrapped package was nothing more than curtain rods.
Black and chrome 1954 sedan used by Lee Harvey Oswald on the day he assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
Made The CutRipley’s is proud to own hair clippings from President Kennedy obtained by the White House barber, Harry Gelbart — how extraordinary is that!
The clippings were cut shortly before President Kennedy’s fateful trip to Dallas and are framed against a white canvas showcasing the former President’s reddish brown locks.
President Kennedy’s hair cut and saved by Harry Gelbart.
John F. Kennedy is a figure showered in intrigue and tragedy and leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary proportions. Ripley’s is proud to forward that legacy by showcasing items that were not only a part of his intrigue, but in some cases, were also a genuine part of him!
Check out our episode of Ripley’s Up Close & Peculiar where Kurtis dives behind the scenes and into detail about some of President Kennedy’s artifacts mentioned above!
You can see THE dress up close at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Hollywood for a limited time beginning Memorial Day weekend!
Also, for a limited time, beginning Memorial Day weekend, catch Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday” dress along with Ripley’s JFK memorabilia on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood! Grab a glimpse while you can!
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!
May 3, 2022
Snap, Crackle… Juice? New Cereal Made To Be Eaten With Orange Juice, Not Milk
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
In late April of 2022, the world of breakfast foods got rocked by the announcement of a new cereal by Tropicana, engineered to be eaten with orange juice, not milk. “What is this witchcraft?” you ask? It’s a groundbreaking new take on the first meal of the day that has some people scratching their heads and others readying their bowls and spoons.
According to the fruit company’s website for the cereal, the morning treat will launch on May 4, 2022. Called Tropicana Crunch, the product’s packaging includes a sunglasses-wearing orange mascot and the admonishment “Cereal Made for OJ.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tropicana (@tropicana_juices)
Here’s what you need to know about the cereal engineered for citrus and what this means for the future of breakfast.
Why May 4th?You may be wondering why the Bradenton, Florida-based company chose May 4th for all the cereal-centric hype. According to 6 South Florida, May 4th is National Orange Juice Day, making it the ideal time to push the boundaries on how we see and consume the golden, pulpy liquid.
What can consumers expect when tasting the bizarre new treat? Tropicana claims they’re in for an “unforgettable breakfast experience.” (No word on whether that’s good or bad.) They also note that the crunchy stuff is honey almond flavored and perfectly designed to show off the glory of their juice offerings, whether you’re into pulp or can’t stand the stuff.
A Fun Nod to the BrandTropicana isn’t without humor. In a fun nod to the brand, they’ve included a paper straw in each box of Tropicana Crunch. The paper straw represents a nod to the brand’s long-time advertising imagery featuring an orange with a red-and-white straw poking out of it. According to product photos, they also suggest using the straw in the cereal bowl, which looks like it could get messy quickly.
The company has this argument for the naysayers, “Whether you hate it or love it, you won’t know until you try it. It may not be for everyone (but it could be for you!)” Whether this logic brings consumers on board is another matter. But the release of the product will make many rethink their morning routine. There’s no word on whether Tropicana plans to make the cereal a permanent offering or a temporary delight.
Breaking Down Stereotypes about OJThis isn’t the first time Tropicana has marketed a product somewhat tenuously associated with its brand. For example, in November 2021, the brand commemorated National Brush Day by releasing a toothpaste guaranteed not to make your orange juice taste bad. Unfortunately, you couldn’t buy the product in stores. Instead, consumers had to win it through a sweepstakes, which means many less-than-diehard fans never got to experience the wonders of simultaneously clean teeth and slowly sipped orange juice.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tropicana (@tropicana_juices)
For those folks who won big in the Tropicana toothpaste giveaway and haven’t yet finished off their fruit juice–friendly tubes, you’ve reached a nexus in your life. You have the genuine potential of eating the world’s first OJ-drenched cereal followed by a lovely Tropicana toothpaste brushing session. Need we say, savor this opportunity?
By Engrid Barnett, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: Snap, Crackle… Juice? New Cereal Made To Be Eaten With Orange Juice, Not Milk
Exclusive Look Inside Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Dressing Room
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
The internet is all abuzz after Kim Kardashian donned Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday” dress that befittingly represented this year’s Met Gala theme, In America: An Anthology of Fashion.
In honor of this historic moment in fashion history, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! — who provided the gown — filled Kim’s dressing room with a collection of Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy memorabilia to help inspire her look and channel her inner Marilyn.
Keep scrolling for an exclusive peek at all the pieces of Americana assembled inside the dressing room.
Marilyn Monroe’s Makeup Case
Marilyn Monroe’s cosmetics case contains gold tubes of eyeliners, lipsticks, and lotions — everything she needed to create her iconic come-hither look that eventually became her trademark. She took the classic 1950s makeup style of simple shadow, black liner, and bold lips to new heights.
Marilyn Monroe’s Lip Print on Tissue
Marilyn Monroe sealed her last public performance with a kiss. Before she hit the stage at Madison Square Garden in 1962 to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy, Robert Champion, New York City hairstylist to the stars, refreshed her Marilyn’s lipstick and then blotted with a tissue, imprinting her lips forever.
Lock of Marilyn Monroe’s Hair
It’s no doubt that one of Marilyn’s most defining physical feature was her bombshell platinum-blonde hair. This lock was clipped by her hairstylist Robert Champion just prior to her Madison Square Garden performance.
The lock of hair has been authenticated by John Reznikoff, one of the most respected and trusted experts in the field of hair collecting.
Ticket to President John F. Kennedy’s Birthday Gala
This is an invitation ticket for President Kennedy’s Birthday Party on May 19, 1962, at Madison Square Garden. This “Gala All Star Show” was sponsored by the State and National Democratic Committees and Citizens for Kennedy. According to newspaper and film accounts of the evening, this event was attended by over 15,000 guests including Vice President Lyndon Johnson, New York Mayor Wagner, and members of the Kennedy family.
Sleep Art Portraits
These drawings of Marilyn Monroe were created by Welsh-Australian artist Lee Hadwin, who is only able to draw in his sleep! Hadwin has created nearly 200 pencil sketches, including these two pieces.
Believe It or Not!, Hadwin draws while sleepwalking, applying his art to whatever surfaces are available, including walls, tablecloths, furniture, and newspapers. The following morning, he has no recollection of what he has done, and when awake displays no artistic talent whatsoever!
Bob Mackie Sketch of the Dress
This sketch of the “Happy Birthday” dress was drawn by famed fashion designer Bob Mackie in his first job out of college. This is one of several original drawings that showed Marilyn in the nearly nude gown.
JFK Birthday Celebration Poster
This poster advertised President Kennedy’s birthday extravaganza held at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962. Tickets cost between $10 and $100 — or around $95 to $950 in today’s money! The high price tag is no surprise considering the star-studded list of performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, and, of course, Marilyn Monroe.
Cardigan and Signed Photo
This hand-knit oversized cardigan is the exact same sweater Monroe wore on a beach in Santa Monica during a photoshoot with George Barris on July 13, 1962.
The framed photo to the right of the sweater is signed by Barris, and the text on the lower margin reads “Marilyn, ‘The Warm Up,’ 1962.” It is one of the last photos of her ever taken before she passed away just weeks later.
Rare Photos of Marilyn Monroe at the Birthday Gala
A group of five color photographs of Marilyn Monroe taken on May 19, 1962, at the birthday gala for President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Three of these images show Monroe singing “Happy Birthday” on stage and are likely the only known color photos taken of Monroe during this performance. From the collection of Frieda Hull.
Photo Album of Kennedy’s 45th Birthday Celebration
This leather-bound photograph album contains candid photos of President Kennedy’s 45th birthday celebration on May 19, 1962, at Madison Square Garden. The fundraising gala was attended by some of the biggest names in entertainment. There are 23 photos inside the album, including some of the many performances.
Marilyn Monroe’s Stole and Feather Cloche
Marilyn wore this fashionable evening stole on numerous occasions. It is made from the fur of a Siberian silver fox and was worth about $10,000 in the early ’60s. Today, it would now cost nearly $100,000!
Pictured above with the stole, Marilyn frequently wore stylish scarves, caps, and hats of various styles to accessorize and protect her iconic platinum locks. Dating from the late 1950s, this cloche is made of 100% wool and features ostrich feathers!
Marilyn Monroe Dress
Lastly, the glittering star of the collection is the Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday” dress itself, which was previously worn at the JFK Gala for her last public performance nearly 60 years ago. When Marilyn stepped up to the microphone and dropped her fur coat to reveal the jeweled skintight gown, the entire audience was caught in a beguiling moment that would live on forever.
See It All in Person!This collection, including the dress, will be on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Hollywood beginning Memorial Day weekend.
Source: Exclusive Look Inside Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Dressing Room
May 2, 2022
Everything You Need To Know About Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Look
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
The dress that everyone is talking about was debuted by none other than Marilyn Monroe, when she sang a scandalous, breathy version of “Happy Birthday” for President John F. Kennedy at his Madison Square Garden birthday celebration on May 19, 1962.
Sixty years later and only a few miles away at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kim Kardashian has added to the garment’s pop culture significance — becoming the only person besides Marilyn to ever wear the iconic dress.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! acquired the dress at a Julien’s Auctions event in 2016 for $4.8 million. With taxes and fees, the dress’ value surpasses $5 million, making it the world’s most expensive dress ever sold at auction. Believe It or Not! the gown is now valued at over $10 million.
The DesignIt all began when Monroe tasked famed Hollywood costumier Jean Louis to create an iconic look. She told Jean Louis, “I want you to design a truly historical dress, a dazzling dress that’s one-of-a-kind, a dress that only Marilyn Monroe could wear.” A young Bob Mackie, in his first job out of college, drew the original sketch of the dress, and the result was a skintight gown adorned with more than 6,000 hand-sewn crystals. It fit like a glove and was ready to make history.
The original Bob Mackie sketch was carefully packaged and sent to Kim’s Met Gala dressing room at the Ritz to serve as inspiration for the evening.
The DebutMarylin Monroe’s performance in the dress is one of the most famed moments of her career. Alleged affairs aside, the sheer dress was a scandal itself at President Kennedy’s 45th birthday celebration.
The unlined gown did not allow for Monroe to wear any undergarments, and its color perfectly matched her skin tone. The thousands of rhinestones on the dress were strategically placed to cover her body and twinkle under the stage lights. It was purposefully made to look barely there and was designed to shock.
Marilyn Monroe at President Kennedy’s 45th birthday celebration on May 19, 1962. Credit: Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.
Reportedly, Monroe was stitched into the dress just seconds before her appearance and missed her curtain call twice!
Getting Gala ReadyWhen prepping for JFK’s birthday event, Marilyn Monroe deceived organizers and said she was going to wear a high-necked demure gown, much like the rumor mill surrounding Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala look.
When paparazzi spotted Kim and boyfriend Pete Davidson at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! headquarters in Orlando, Florida, chatter sparked surrounding the purpose of her visit. With the timing right and being known for her striking looks on fashion’s biggest night, social media began to theorize Kim’s Monroe-focused look.
It appears Kim felt right at home in the office of Ripley Entertainment’s President, Jim Pattison Jr, while visiting our headquarters in Orlando!
But the plan to wear the “Happy Birthday” dress was in the works before the couple’s Orlando visit. The Kardashian camp reach out to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! with the request earlier in the year. It was clear that Kim herself, a huge Monroe fan, had her heart set on this Met Gala look — but of course there were hesitations.
Honoring and Preserving HistoryThe multi-million-dollar dress has rarely been separated from its dress form, let alone worn by anyone other than Monroe. Great care has been taken to preserve this piece of history. With input from garment conservationists, appraisers, archivists, and insurance, both the Ripley’s and Kim knew they could make the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity happen. Agreeing that the garment’s condition was top priority, it was agreed that no alterations were to be made to the dress.
With a body true to Monroe’s form, the “Happy Birthday” dress made its second-ever appearance at the 2022 Met Gala on Kim Kardashian. However, with preservation of the historic gown as the highest priority, Kim only wore the original dress for her carpet appearance, later changing into a replica for the rest of the event.
Only at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!Why would Ripley’s — home of the weird and wonderful — have this dress in their collection? The Exhibits and Archives team at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! strongly feel that this dress is the most famous item of clothing from twentieth century culture.
With both political and pop culture significance, Monroe’s dress tells a tale and has its own mythos full of unbelievable stories. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums invite guests in to see and experience things they would never see elsewhere, and this dress goes above and beyond. Luckily, you can now see it for yourself!
You can see THE dress up close at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Hollywood for a limited time beginning Memorial Day weekend!
Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday” dress — now also Kim Kardashian’s 2022 Met Gala look — will be on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood for a limited time beginning Memorial Day weekend. Visitors will be able to get an up-close look at this stunning garment, along with a behind-the-scenes peek at Kim’s Met Gala look and other memorabilia from Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy.
SEE HISTORY IN PERSON! Along with historic artifacts like the Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday” dress, you’ll discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: Everything You Need To Know About Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Look
May 1, 2022
The Met Gala’s Most Jaw-Dropping Looks Over The Years
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
The Met Gala has always been the event for outrageous fashion and making a statement, whether you play it safe or risk making the worst-dressed list.
With this year’s Met Gala quickly approaching, we’ve rounded up some of the strangest looks throughout the years. From using your own head as an accessory to a dress made of LED lights, we can confidently say fashion doesn’t get weirder than the red carpet at the Met!
Rihanna, 2015Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'aQ_8eeA6QmlGvyI9BP1yVQ',sig:'FtsnMVxI3TEbbJe2ruV_KECB6CkrJaH-4KyqfAFSq1U=',w:'594px',h:'423px',items:'472230422,472979856,499826338',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});
Imagine walking around in an outfit that weighs 55 pounds and somehow remaining glamorous throughout the evening. Well, pop queen Rihanna managed to do just that. In 2015, she showed up absolutely glowing in a gorgeous fur-trimmed dress for the Met’s exhibition titled “China: Through the Looking Glass.” Did we mention this gown took 20 months to make? Worth it.
Jaden Smith, 2017Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'lxdw395hQUlv9EHw5dBbjA',sig:'DUF5gz32lU3s9J7hpc6Dn1CDUlxLeeuQedtDjrqRWGo=',w:'594px',h:'404px',items:'675715246',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});
If you need to squeeze in a quick hair cut pre-Met, Jaden Smith will show you how it’s done. He carried his own locs as he walked the carpet at the 2017 Met Gala. He later explained that the hair was a tribute to his sister, Willow, who was unable to make the festivities that year. It’s possible Jaden started a trend of using body parts as accessories, as shown by the next look on our list.
Jared Leto, 2019Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'LnmeTg-VSOduLXFX-D_NVg',sig:'UXwDBwwI3mtpa65_9_VPgbeyj0Re3vZ6fnxf_PXyIUE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1147440583,1147529980,922113802',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});
Insert Jared Leto. In 2019, he carried a replica of his own head as an accessory. This interesting fashion choice was tribute to Gucci’s show the year prior, in which the models all held heads down the runway. Leto was dressed head to toe — quite literally — in Gucci for the theme “Camp: Notes on Fashion”, which was inspired by Susan Sontag’s famous essay.
Solange, 2015Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ZipH9wOtRj1ehuzYY_eYxw',sig:'OX7rMUu05TzwbCMmDmnYiwY-1MogCGAbzkqWUMygr6k=',w:'594px',h:'475px',items:'472245690,472202364',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});
In 2015, Solange rocked a 3D circular dress by Giles in honor of the “China: Through the Looking Glass” theme. The craziest part was she had to keep her arms up in the air for the entirety of the event due to how restricting the dress was. It may have been uncomfortable, but her look was surely one for the books!
Priyanka Chopra, 2017Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'RMwNNoK4SbVFQi9tJopwjw',sig:'Rg0cGnUVV4FNgnp2FgFSEo4HJvYs-AxHbDKMPdaho2Y=',w:'594px',h:'400px',items:'678125106,675794214',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});
Priyanka wore what appeared to be world’s longest trench coat at the 2017 Met Gala. Her dramatic tan trench designed by Ralph Lauren made for a picture-perfect moment at her first-ever appearance at the event. And while the look may have appeared effortlessly chic, the extensively long train actually required a dedicated assistant to help her up the stairs.
Katy Perry, 2010 and 2019Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'NkxIeF_WR4BNV8MXmJqYzQ',sig:'XMlXfdPcsFwHJtIzrJUTNcAUxA_T9w0pojTWPPmLAqk=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1147465514,98823960',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});
The award for most “lit” outfit at the 2010 “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” Met Gala goes to Katy Perry! She wore a glow-in-the-dark gown equipped with 3,000 built-in MicroLED lights. Her lights got a glow up in 2019 when she appeared on the carpet in a fully functioning chandelier. This outfit was adorned in jaw-dropping crystals and three tiers of bright candles.
Sarah Jessica Parker, 2018Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'unTmSBZATH9ZEb2w4LDaOQ',sig:'ddQjNoVtAXcAnjfxgZBvRrvfxmoTDr5ZWYZSQNlcFU4=',w:'594px',h:'444px',items:'955766656,955793744',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});
Sarah Jessica Parker is known for her elaborate Met Gala looks, and she did not disappoint for the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and The Catholic Imagination” theme. She donned a beautiful Dolce & Gabbana gold gown with a matching headpiece. But perhaps the oddest part was the headpiece. If you take a closer look, you’ll see an entire nativity scene inside the ornate hat.
What Does the 2022 Met Gala Hold?The Met Gala has been an annual event for decades, with stunning, strange, and seriously impressive looks on display each year, and 2022 is sure to be no exception. We’ll be watching the proverbial red carpet on Monday to spot our favorite outfits of the evening, will you? Let us know your favorite Met Gala looks of all time in the comments!
By Sam McCormack, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: The Met Gala’s Most Jaw-Dropping Looks Over The Years
April 30, 2022
Facts About Anna Wintour, The Inspiration Behind The Devil Wears Prada
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
When you hear the name “Anna Wintour,” what comes to mind? Some people immediately associate her with Miranda Priestly, the dragon lady of The Devil Wears Prada. In contrast, others think of her impenetrable look, including the chin-length bob and opaque sunglasses. Still others go straight to her career as editor-in-chief of Vogue.
Honestly, every one of these responses bears some truth. But these associations only tell a fraction of the story when it comes to this fascinating fashion figure. Not only is Wintour a spot-on style icon in her own right, but she’s maintained an incredibly low profile despite riding shotgun on the celebrity roller coaster for decades. Her magazine, American Vogue, reaches a jaw-dropping 12 million print readers and 1.2 million online visitors per month.
Here are some of the craziest things you never knew about Anna Wintour.
Anna Wintour’s First Vogue Cover Shocked the WorldAnna Wintour wouldn’t have a career in style if it weren’t for her uncanny ability to keep her finger on fashion’s pulse. Think of her as the veritable Oracle of Delphi when it comes to the “in look.” Her insights have sometimes proven highly controversial, too. But that’s okay, because she doesn’t mind shaking things up. Take, for example, the first cover she ever dropped as American Vogue’s editor-in-chief.
Published in November 1988, it features pregnant model Michaela Bercu wearing a black mid-drift sweater featuring a gaudy jewel-encrusted crucifix applique, stone-washed Guess jeans, and the tiniest hint of a baby bump. She’s wearing very little makeup, has tendrils of hair blowing across her face, and is smiling so widely her eyes appear semi-closed.
This candid shot wouldn’t make anyone think twice today, but it sent shockwaves through the industry back in 1988. After all, Vogue covers of the day went heavy on the makeup, jewelry, and formality.
Vogue in 1988: before Anna Wintour vs Anna Wintour’s first cover in november.
February 1988 (left)
November 1988 (right) pic.twitter.com/LLCSOU2BOI
— The Artémis Magazine (@theartemismag) December 26, 2020
So stunned were the magazine’s printers that they called up and asked sternly, “Has there been a mistake?” Despite the explicit criticism, Wintour held her ground. In a recent issue of Vogue commemorating the magazine’s 120th anniversary, she explained, “I had just looked at that picture and sensed the winds of change.”
Anna Wintour Is a High School DropoutBy age 15, Anna Wintour was rocking the iconic chin-length bob that she still sports today. And she created her own apartment within her family’s home by transforming the servant’s quarters into a living space. This provided her the necessary freedom to live independently by her mid-teens. Perhaps this also demonstrated a rebellious streak when it came to following arbitrary rules and the caprices of authority figures.
By 1966, at the age of 18, this “streak” emerged in full force in her dealings with a new headmistress at the North London Collegiate School. After learning that Wintour sported a hemline shorter than the school permitted, the headmistress decided to make an example of her and tore the hem of Wintour’s skirt as a punishment. This proved the final straw for Wintour, and she dropped out of school shortly thereafter.
Wintour has described this period of her life as a very shaky start to her career, per The Guardian. But she also attributes her rise through the ranks of the fashion world to her geographic location. “I now know that this would never have happened in the States, as one of the big differences between American and British journalism is the expectation of qualification.” (It also likely helped that her father, Charles Wintour, was the editor of the London Evening Standard.)
Her Annual Clothing Allowance Could Pay Off Your MortgageAccording to New York Magazine, Wintour reportedly received a salary of $2 million in 2011, and we can only imagine how much this has gone up over the past eleven years. What’s more, she’s now the Condé Nast artistic director, which likely came with a significant pay raise or two (via the Independent). But that’s just one part of her well-paying job.
Wintour also receives a clothing allowance from Vogue that’s higher than her employees’ salaries and could put a significant dent in your mortgage. According to Business Insider, the Vogue editor-in-chief gets a massive $200,000 per year to stay impeccably trendy.
To give you a little perspective, consider the next highest-paid employee at Condé Nast: a creative director rakes in a measly $163,333 per year, as reported by Who What Wear. When it’s all said and done, Wintour is valued at $35 million.
Editorial credit: DKSStyle
She Went Gaga Over Bob MarleyIn 2005, Jerry Oppenheimer wrote Wintour’s biography, including fun and surprising details about her private life. Titled Front Row: What Lies Beneath the Chic Exterior of Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, the book claims to delve behind the cool-chic façade Wintour has cultivated over the years.
For example, Oppenheimer describes her enthusiastic adoration of Bob Marley, which motivated her to get a backstage pass to hang out with him and The Wailers night after night during the performers’ week-long stint in Manhattan while on tour.
According to sources close to Wintour, she treated Marley with a reverence bordering on blasphemy. “Anna met God . . . I don’t think anything moved her as much as Bob Marley.” Rumor has it she even hung out with Marley and his crew after shows.
That said, Wintour has never been a drinker, and she has also categorically stated that nothing romantic transpired between her and the iconic performer. So, the nights spent hanging out together proved relatively tame.
Not Just a Prada-Wearing DevilIt seems Wintour did come away with some of Marley’s life philosophy. Despite her self-imposed cold veneer, which The Devil Wears Prada didn’t help, rumor has it she’s got a soft side. In an interview with Teen Vogue, her daughter Bee Shaffer said, “I know that she is the most generous person you will ever meet. It’s crazy. She puts everyone before her always.”
Between her daughter’s warm praises and the stories about Marley, Anna Wintour’s Ice Queen exterior quickly melts, and we’re left with a portrait of a deliciously complex female powerhouse who happens to wear Prada.
By Engrid Barnett, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: Facts About Anna Wintour, The Inspiration Behind The Devil Wears Prada
Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog
- Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s profile
- 52 followers
