Chloe Malle: The Potential Successor to Anna Wintour at Vogue
In a pivotal moment for the fashion industry, Anna Wintour, the iconic editor-in-chief of Vogue, is reportedly narrowing down her search for a successor, with Chloe Malle emerging as the frontrunner to assume the mantle. According to sources familiar with the situation, Malle, the daughter of acclaimed actress Candice Bergen and renowned French filmmaker Louis Malle, is currently the editor of Vogue.com and is in the advanced stages of interviews for the prestigious role of head of editorial content for US Vogue.
Chloe Malle: The Potential Successor to Anna Wintour at Vogue
Chloe Malle: The Potential Successor to Anna Wintour
At 39 years old, Malle has made a name for herself within the fashion realm, garnering admiration from her colleagues at Vogue. Recently, she conducted an interview with Lauren Sanchez for a Vogue cover, capturing the essence of Sanchez’s extravagant wedding to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in Venice. This high-profile assignment has further solidified Malle’s reputation as a leading voice in contemporary fashion journalism.
Sources indicate that Condé Nast executives, including CEO Roger Lynch and Anna Wintour herself, have narrowed the candidate list to a select few contenders, signaling that an announcement regarding Wintour’s successor could arrive as early as New York Fashion Week, which commences on September 11 and concludes on September 16. Vogue has declined to provide any official comments on the matter.
Among the remaining candidates is Nicole Phelps, the global director of Vogue Runway, the platform dedicated to covering fashion shows. While the competition remains fierce, several insiders have noted that a few other prominent figures, including external candidates, are still in contention. However, it appears that Eva Chen, Instagram’s Head of Fashion Partnerships and a close confidant of Wintour, has stepped back from the running due to her substantial commitments at Meta.
“Eva is making a ton of money at Instagram,” remarked an industry insider. “There is no reason for her to move over.” Chen’s previous experience with Condé Nast’s Teen Vogue and Lucky has only added to her renown, yet her current role seems to have diminished her chances of stepping into the Vogue spotlight.
Sara Moonves, the owner of W Magazine, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate, but sources suggest that her deep ties to her current publication may hinder her ability to transition to Vogue. Similarly, Chioma Nnadi, who took over from Edward Enninful as Head of Editorial Content at British Vogue in October 2023, is reportedly content in her London role and thriving in her position.
Wintour, 75, announced her decision to step down from her role as editor-in-chief of American Vogue in June, after an impressive 37-year tenure. During her time at the helm, Wintour transformed Vogue into a cultural touchstone, influencing not just fashion but also broader cultural trends.
Reflecting on her legacy, Wintour stated, “When I became the editor of Vogue, I was eager to prove to all who might listen that there was a new, exciting way to imagine an American fashion magazine. Now, I find that my greatest pleasure is helping the next generation of impassioned editors storm the field with their own ideas, supported by a new, exciting view of what a major media company can be.”
In a move that underscores the evolution of the editorial landscape, the incoming editor will not be awarded Wintour’s title but will instead serve as the head of editorial content, reporting directly to Wintour, who will retain her position as Vogue’s global editorial director and chief content officer for Condé Nast.
“I’ll be paying very close attention to the fashion industry and to the creative cultural force that is our extraordinary Met Ball, and charting the course of future Vogue Worlds, and any other original fearless ideas we may come up with,” Wintour has expressed.
As the fashion community awaits the announcement of Wintour’s successor, Chloe Malle’s ascent to prominence represents a noteworthy shift in the editorial leadership of Vogue. With her unique background and experience, Malle could usher in a new era for the magazine, one that balances tradition with modernity in an ever-evolving industry landscape.
While the final decision remains in the hands of Condé Nast executives, Malle’s journey from Vogue.com to the helm of US Vogue highlights the ongoing dynamics of the fashion world and the continuing significance of legacy within this prestigious institution. As the countdown to New York Fashion Week begins, all eyes will be on Vogue and its next chapter, with Chloe Malle potentially leading the charge into a new fashion frontier.
