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Anna Wintour's secret to success: 'If you aren’t sure of yourself, pretend that you are'


MARCH 2, 2015 4:27 AM EST

Anna Wintour hasruled the fashion world for years as the editor-in-chief of Vogue and now we get a peek behind hersuccess in a new interview with the magazine maven.

Anna has become known for her fashion choices on the red carpet Photo: Getty Images

AuthorAlistair Campbell interviewed Anna for his new book Winners And How They Succeed, where she shared the secrets of hersuccess. "Everyone should be sackedat least once in their career because perfection doesn't exist," she saidin a book extract featured in the Sunday Times' Style magazine. "It'simportant to have setbacks, because that is the reality of life." Thefashionista, who became editor in chief of Voguein 1988, was fired in 1975 from her role as a junior fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar just nine months afterstarting.

The Vogue editor can often be seen front row with celebrities like Beyonce and Kim Kardashian Photo: Getty Images

Anna, 65, alsoreveals that delegating and being decisive are key factors that have helped herrise to the top. "Most peopleprevaricate. I decide fast," she said. "I'm a very good delegator.People work better when they have responsibility."

In her signature sunglasses, Anna is often depicted as an ice queen Photo: Getty Images

The 65-year-old,who admits to waking up at 5:00 a.m., had some surprising admissions that go againsther frosty persona. Despite ruling the fashion world, she says she has no cluehow to make a dress, can't write, and couldn't create an image from a photo shoot.And all of that confidence she exudes takes work. ‘‘Even if you aren’t sure ofyourself, pretend that you are," she said. "Because it makes itclearer for everyone else."