A Bold Decision: Grace Lam’s Story of Rejecting a Dream Job
Australian-based fashionista Grace Lam has shared an intriguing tale about her decision to turn down a high-profile job offer from her former boss, Anna Wintour. This story highlights the unique path that Lam has taken in her career and the personal choices that have shaped her life.
Wintour, 76, is a globally recognized style icon and the inspiration for Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada. However, Lam, 51, demonstrated remarkable courage when she addressed Wintour about a prestigious role in Shanghai. At the time, Lam was living in Perth, raising a young family, after spending a decade as a senior fashion editor for Vogue China.
Lam explained that Wintour wanted to discuss returning to her old magazine, this time as editor-in-chief. She mentioned that working in China is not as straightforward as people might think. “And I was like, ‘I don’t want to bring up my son in China’,” she shared in the latest episode of Mamamia Unleashed.
Despite the potential for a significant career move, Lam decided to take a Zoom call with Wintour, who is known for her signature dark glasses, bobbed hair, and a demanding approach with her employees. “So then she called me without glasses,” Lam said. “Straight away, she said to me, ‘How are you doing in Perth?’”
Adding that this was the first proper conversation she had ever had with Wintour, Lam joked that she did not find the media veteran “scary at all.” “So it was like, ‘We’re looking for a new editor-in-chief for Vogue China. Your name came up quite a few times,’” she said of the job interview. “Straight away, I said, ‘No.’”
“I said, ‘I don’t want to live in China again. I’ve done that. And I have a son to think about. So, I’m not doing it.’ So, then we hung up.”
Lam described the experience as surreal. “I was like, ‘Wow, that was kind of surreal.’ So, then I emailed my president. And he said, ‘You are the only person that I know that said no to Anna Wintour.’ And I said, ‘I’m going to put that down on my gravestone.’”
Lam added that at the time of the job offer, she was “tired” of the luxury fashion world, which she characterized as “b***hy” and “neurotic.” The Hong Kong-born Lam relocated to Melbourne from Perth with her Australian husband, Jason Capobianco, and their teenage son, Theo, in 2025.
Now a consultant, Lam began her career in fashion in London, where she studied at the Chelsea College of Arts and Central St Martins. She later worked at i-D magazine before being recruited to Vogue China as a senior fashion editor in 2005. Lam left the role in 2014 to start her Grace Lam Style consultancy in Hong Kong, which then relocated to Australia.
Career Highlights and Personal Life
Grace Lam’s journey in the fashion industry is marked by a series of significant milestones. Starting in London, she gained valuable experience in the competitive world of fashion. Her time at i-D magazine provided her with a platform to showcase her talent and creativity.
In 2005, Lam joined Vogue China as a senior fashion editor, a position that allowed her to work with some of the most influential figures in the industry. After a decade of dedicated work, she decided to leave the role in 2014 to pursue her own consultancy, which eventually moved to Australia.
Lam’s decision to relocate to Melbourne was influenced by her desire to provide a better environment for her family. She emphasized the importance of balancing her professional ambitions with her personal life, particularly in raising her son.
Her story serves as an inspiration to many, highlighting the importance of making decisions that align with one’s values and priorities. Whether it’s choosing a career path or deciding to say no to a high-profile opportunity, Lam’s experience underscores the significance of personal choice in shaping one’s life.
