Vogue's New Vision: Chloe Malle Breaks the Mold with Zero Makeup at NYC Fashion Show
The Unlikely Heir: Chloe Malle Takes the Reins at US Vogue
In a shocking move that's left fashionistas reeling, 39-year-old Chloe Malle has been tapped as the new head of editorial content at US Vogue, succeeding Anna Wintour after her 37-year reign. The news sent shockwaves through the industry, with many wondering how this relatively unknown editor had managed to snag the top spot.
But what they may not know is that Malle's rise to power has been a long time coming. A former Vogue staffer, she's worked her way up the ranks, co-hosting the magazine's weekly podcast and launching viral hits like Dogue, a tongue-in-cheek fashion mag for dogs. Her big break came when she coordinated the coverage of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's marriage to Lauren Sanchez in June, as well as scoring an exclusive interview with the bride.
Despite her obvious talent, Malle has been accused of being handed her role on a silver platter – and it's hard not to agree. Her late father was French film director Louis Malle, while her mother is American actress Candice Bergen, who has appeared twice on the cover of Vogue in her own right. In fact, Bergen's influence runs so deep that she even played the editor-in-chief of American Vogue in Sex And The City – a role that Malle seems to be following in.
But don't let that fool you – Malle is no fashion novice. A graduate of Brown University, she lives in New York City with her financial analyst husband and two kids (plus one furry friend). In fact, when asked about her fashion interests, Malle revealed that "fashion is not one of my main interests in life" – a statement that's both refreshingly honest and oddly reassuring.
Of course, Malle's ascension to the top has also raised eyebrows due to her close relationship with Wintour. The two have been working together for years, with Malle often acting as Wintour's right-hand woman. In fact, in 2014, Wintour handpicked Malle to write an exclusive interview with Lauren Sanchez – a clear sign of the younger editor's rising star.
And speaking of stars, Malle's style is decidedly more laid-back than her predecessor's. Gone are the days of Chanel sunglasses and designer gowns; instead, Malle has been spotted sporting jeans and casual blouses, including that $645 (£482) Dries Van Noten shirt she wore in her first official photo shoot for Vogue.
But don't count Wintour out just yet – despite stepping down as editor-in-chief, the 75-year-old remains chief content officer of Conde Nast and global editorial director of Vogue. It's clear that Malle will be reporting directly to Wintour, who has been instrumental in shaping her career.
In a statement, Malle gushed about her new role: "Fashion and media are both evolving at breakneck speed, and I am so thrilled, and awed, to be part of that." She also expressed gratitude for Wintour's continued mentorship, saying she feels "incredibly fortunate" to still have the fashion icon just down the hall.
It remains to be seen how Malle will tackle her new role – but one thing's for sure: with Wintour watching over her shoulder, this new "devil" is unlikely to make any major missteps.
