Editorial Changes in Vogue
First off, it should be noted that the editor-in-chief will not have their photo featured on the magazine’s cover. This is an important detail.
In addition, Dame Anna Wintour, who stepped down as the editor-in-chief of Vogue a few months ago, has seen Chloe Malle, the daughter of Candice Bergen and director Louis Malle, take up the role. However, Malle doesn’t officially hold the title of editor-in-chief; instead, she carries the more elaborate title of Head of Editorial Content. Interestingly, Wintour now has two roles compared to Malle’s one. She didn’t resign, but rather advanced to become Vogue’s global chief content officer and global editorial director. So, be it Marle or Wintour who made this choice, Wintour will grace the cover of the upcoming May issue. It’s worth considering who’s really steering the ship at Vogue and other leading fashion magazines.
Why now? Some speculate this might be Wintour’s way of asserting her influence. However, this situation could also reflect the increasingly precarious position of magazines and fashion publications these days, particularly Vogue.
The May cover, at its core, serves as a promotional piece. One could almost mistake the 76-year-old photographer Annie Leibovitz for promoting AARP given the ages involved. Wintour and Meryl Streep, both 76, are styled in Prada by Grace Coddington, who is approaching 85. It’s nice to see them all still active in the industry.
This cover is primarily a promotion for the Met Gala, taking place every May 4th, which raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute—now known as the Anna Wintour Costume Center. Wintour also has multiple other titles related to the gala and the museum. Quite a lengthy list!
But that’s not all. The cover coincides with the release of “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” with Streep reprising her role as Miranda Priestly. The film launches just three days before the gala.
While the cover might portray Wintour as a power figure, just recently, New York Magazine—where Wintour worked as fashion editor before moving to Vogue—called the magazine a “decline,” quoting a fashion publicist who remarked that “fashion becomes less and less important.”
This situation brings to mind the late 1970s when People magazine dominated newsstands, selling millions of copies weekly and generating incredible ad revenue. There was a rumor back then that being on the cover could lead to both great successes and sudden downfalls for celebrities, which raises skepticism even today.
Think about Betty White. Tragically, she passed away just two days after gracing the cover of People to celebrate her 100th birthday.
This “curse” has even inspired variants in other publications like Sports Illustrated, but the phenomenon is still alive and well at Vogue. With Wintour and Streep on the cover, one might wonder if the curse will continue. Will “Devil 2” be a massive hit? Or will the Met Gala theme, “Costume Art,” just turn into another whimsical celebrity affair? Either way, one thing is clear—Vogue’s decline could continue unless revitalized.
From high-fashion conglomerates to Hollywood studios and notable editors, the world feels like it’s inhabited by dinosaurs battling for survival. Yet, one trend endures: the art of cross-platform promotion seems stronger than ever, and it looks like Wintour remains at the forefront.
