Anna Wintour has officially passed the Vogue crown, with Chloe Malle stepping in as the new editor-in-chief of U.S. Vogue. Read more.
For decades, the role of Vogue’s editor-in-chief has been one of the most coveted, mythologized, and intimidating jobs in fashion. It’s not just about running a magazine – it’s about shaping global conversations, setting the cultural agenda, and deciding what the world sees as “style.” For many in fashion and media, it’s the ultimate dream role, one that comes with both prestige and power, but also immense responsibility. And now, for the first time in nearly forty years, that title has passed on from Anna Wintour to Chloe Malle.
Anna Wintour stepping aside after 37 years is nothing short of historic. She wasn’t just an editor; she became a cultural symbol. Her bob and sunglasses are as iconic as any runway look, and her influence reached far beyond glossy pages, from the front rows of fashion week to the halls of the Met Gala. Wintour isn’t disappearing entirely though, she remains in senior leadership at Condé Nast, but her decision to step back from day-to-day editorial control signals a new era. The fashion world is watching closely to see how Malle will take on a role that’s equal parts legacy and reinvention.
Chloe Malle, 39, has been quietly but steadily preparing for this moment. She started at Vogue in 2011 as social editor at just 25, later edited Vogue.com, and co-hosted the magazine’s podcast The Run-Through. She’s also helped shape the brand’s digital expansion, with traffic doubling under her leadership. Her background is uniquely Vogue, the daughter of actress Candice Bergen and French filmmaker Louis Malle, she grew up immersed in culture but built her career through writing, editing, and navigating the demands of both print and digital storytelling.
Interestingly, Malle has admitted she wasn’t always eager for the top job. The role is so outsized, so all-consuming, that she initially dodged the idea of pursuing it. Taking over Vogue means inheriting Wintour’s enormous shadow while also facing the pressures of an industry in flux. Fashion publishing is no longer just about glossy covers – it’s about digital engagement, social media influence, podcasts, and global events. Saying yes to that kind of responsibility and being selected for the role is not a casual decision.
That hesitation, though, may be exactly what makes Malle the right fit. She understands the weight of the position but also sees the possibilities. Under her watch, Vogue has already experimented with fresh formats, like its tongue-in-cheek Dogue feature, newsletters, and more interactive storytelling. She’s proven she can balance Vogue’s storied past with its need to speak to a younger, more diverse, more digital audience.
The significance of this transition can’t be overstated. For many, Vogue remains fashion’s bible – the place where trends are codified, where rising talent gets a stamp of approval, and where fashion intersects with politics, culture, and celebrity. Taking the reins of such an institution is not just about editing pages; it’s about directing the pulse of fashion worldwide.
Malle now carries that torch, stepping into a role that’s both dream job and high-wire act. She inherits the glamour and influence, yes, but also the daunting task of keeping Vogue relevant in an era when TikTok and Instagram can set trends faster than any glossy spread. For fashion lovers and media watchers alike, this marks the beginning of a fascinating new chapter.
Sources: Vogue, Variety, USA Today, Guardian
