What Is The Anna Wintour Effect? We Investigate

UPDATE: While we believe that Amal Alamuddin certainly deserved a spot on Barbara Walter's 10 Most Fascinating People list before her summer nuptials to Hollywood's least-likely-to-marry actor, it's an honor even if she's just now being included. The accomplishment's made only more noteworthy by Amal's nabbing the #1 spot on the list. Fascinating, indeed — but let's not forget Anna Wintour asked the newlywed to appear in her publication long before Walters gave her the primetime TV stamp of approval. Need further proof that the editor's influence is mighty? Read on.

For starters, Amal Alamuddin is a pretty badass human being. She's an esteemed lawyer, was just named one of the U.K.'s "most connected women" (up there with Queen Elizabeth II), and has a penchant for "ugly" shoes. George Clooney is a lucky guy.

But, Alamuddin is pretty fortunate, too. (Not just because of George.) We're referring to her recently released Vogue exclusive. Not every bride gets to have her final wedding-dress fitting appear in the pages of that monthly glossy. And, only very few women find themselves on the receiving side of Anna Wintour's powerful influence — a position we'll henceforth refer to as "The Wintour Effect," and one that has forever changed many a career, style, and public persona.

Amal is not your typical style star. She's more of a straight shooter, often choosing the shift dresses and classically tailored pieces known to serve women in high-power professions such as her own. A cursory Google image search could tell you that. But, the photographs from her big weekend (and her big Vogue shoot) show that Amal has made a bit of a transformation. A stunning, asymmetric Giambattista Valli creation, a striped Dolce & Gabbana dress, and a crimson Alexander McQueen number were among her wedding-celebration wears, and our favorite looks we've seen from the barrister yet. And, if history repeats, this is just the beginning of the newlywed's sartorial journey. That is, if Anna Wintour — a guest at George and Amal's Venice nuptials — has anything to do with it.

To prove that The Wintour Effect is real, we've looked back on five other instances when the editrix may have changed everything. She's famously placed unexpected characters, emerging influencers, and actresses who haven't yet hit their stride right on the cover of her book, risks be damned. And, since we already know she's got a soft spot for the most brilliant new member of Hollywood royalty, we bet this isn't the last we've seen of Alamuddin between those coveted pages. As for these pages, read on to meet five other alumni of the W.E.