Anna Wintour Looks Up To Michelle Obama, Has No Political Ambitions

"To be in Vogue means something," utters Anna Wintour in a recent interview with WSJ. magazine. The editrice found herself on the other side of the looking glass, discussing everything from Galliano's firing and her cover girl regrets to politics and her admiration for Michelle Obama.

First things first -- Wintour tells WSJ. that has no ambitions to hold public office, but that hasn't stopped her from fraternizing with the now-first family. As the presidential election approached in 2008, Wintour co-hosted a fund-raising dinner with Calvin Klein and André Leon Talley at Klein's home:

"I spent time on the aesthetics, and Anna did the phone calls and was really responsible for the funds," Klein recalls. "She was a powerhouse, this tiny, beautiful woman who you think just lives and dies for fashion." Shortly after, Annie Leibovitz photographed Michelle Obama for a spread that ran in the January 2009 issue. She also appeared on Vogue's March 2009 cover, along with an exclusive interview with the First Lady.

And, Joshua Levine adds, "Michelle Obama is one of the first names Wintour mentions when asked whom she most looks up to."

So, who's not on the receiving end of Anna's praise? The likes of Mel B. and Geri Halliwell. Wintour confessed to the glossy, "I'm not terribly proud of putting the Spice Girls on the cover," a decision she made in the late '90s (hey, who wasn't making bad decisions back then, fashion or otherwise?).

With the past behind her, Wintour spoke about what the future holds:

"With all the new media outlets out there, with all the noise, a voice of authority and calm like Vogue becomes more important than ever. The more eyes on fashion, the more opinions about fashion, the more exploration of fashion around the world, the better it is for Vogue. Vogue is like Nike or Coca-Cola-this huge global brand. I want to enhance it, I want to protect it, and I want it to be part of the conversation."

Read the rest at WSJ.com.