After a seismic, 37-year reign, Anna Wintour has passed the torch of American Vogue, anointing Chloe Malle as the new head of editorial content. The appointment, announced Tuesday, marks a profound generational shift for the world’s most influential fashion magazine, signaling a future that will be rooted in its storied legacy but defined by a new, digitally-native vision.
Malle, 39, a long-time Vogue insider and daughter of actress Candice Bergen and the late French film director Louis Malle, will take the helm of the U.S. edition, a role she assumes just weeks before the start of New York Fashion Week. Wintour, 75, who has served as editor-in-chief since 1988, will retain her powerful roles as Condé Nast’s global chief content officer and Vogue’s global editorial director, a move that provides continuity while paving the way for a new creative leader.
In a statement, Malle acknowledged the magnitude of the moment, saying she was “thrilled, and awed” to be a part of the magazine’s next chapter. Her appointment, which comes after months of intense industry speculation, is widely seen as a pragmatic and forward-looking choice by Wintour. Malle, who previously served as the editor of Vogue.com and co-hosted the magazine’s popular podcast, “The Run-Through,” is credited with doubling Vogue.com’s traffic in just two years.
“Chloe has proven often that she can find the balance between American Vogue’s long, singular history and its future on the front lines of the new,” Wintour said. “I am so excited to continue working with her, as her mentor but also as her student, while she leads us and our audiences where we’ve never been before.”
Malle’s ascent to one of the most powerful jobs in media is not without its own unique narrative. As the daughter of two industry titans, Malle has been a subject of the “nepo baby” debate, but her colleagues and peers have consistently pointed to her deep understanding of the magazine’s inner workings, her strong journalistic pedigree, and her ability to navigate the complex world of high-profile exclusives.
The appointment closes a historic chapter in fashion history. For nearly four decades, Anna Wintour was not just an editor, but the undisputed face of Vogue. Her trademark bob, sunglasses, and fierce reputation became synonymous with the magazine, and her every move was watched with intense scrutiny. Malle, who will not be using the “editor-in-chief” title, is stepping into an enormous shadow, but she has stated that her goal is to put her own stamp on the publication.
For now, the fashion world will be watching to see how Malle will guide the iconic brand into the future, and whether she can transform a legendary legacy into a new and enduring vision.