Tags: autobiography | Fashion | publishing

Anna Wintour. Her name strikes fear and reverence in the hearts of fashion victims the world over. She is the editor-in-chief of Vogue US, the world's first fashion magazine that is also the most commercially successful publication ever. Hers is the ass that all fashionistas have to kiss...

Photographers, models and designers alike all bow to Anna's absolute supremacy. They bestow her respect, and shower her with gifts and attention.

A comment from her published in Vogue could make or break your career in fashion. This influential arbiter of style is often spotted in her signature dark Jackie-O sunglasses and wearing a black Lousie Brooks bob, a hair-do she's been wearing since she was a teenager obsessed with fashion. Always spotted at the front row of all the major fashion shows clad in real fur coats, this enigmatic icon has had an interesting and catty life story.

Born to privilege, Anna grew up in a home dominated by a powerful British newspaper editor father and a cold American heiress mother who had a scandalous marriage.

Already in her mid-fifties, Anna has been at the helm of Vogue for over two decades. The book recounts how this rebellious school drop out arrives from London in the mid-70s and catfights her way to the top of the fiercely competitive fashion-publishing industry, ambitiously reinventing herself along the way. Anna has earned her reputation for being one of the nastiest women in both the fashion and magazine publishing scenes.

She has been called many names, amongst which are "Nuclear Wintour" and "The Devil" by her petrified subordinates. Oppenheimer clearly expresses his opinion that Wintour's notoriety is well deserved, and he also does recognize her achievements and contributions to the fashion business in his book.

Front Row is the scrupulously researched inside story of the public and private life of the single most powerful woman in the dog-eat-dog realm of fashion and journalism.

A cutthroat business where something as superficial as wearing the wrong shoes or a passe dress style could send bitchy snarls your way. As Anna climbs to the pinnacle of her career, you get to indulge in all the juicy gossipy bits about how she loses friends, abuses colleagues and tramples on others to get to where she is. Anna's bitchy antics, cool haughty demeanor and aloof upper class attitude will fascinate readers.

She is after all no mere mortal, but the doyenne of fashion and high society. Reading about Anna's life makes you aware that talent and sheer hard work is not enough to get you places. At the end of the day, it still is about connections and knowing the right people.