It’s hard to imagine Vogue, or the world of fashion for that matter, without the iconic blonde bob, bangs, and Chanel sunglasses that have commanded Fashion Week crowds and Met Gala red carpets for decades. Anna Wintour wasn’t just at the helm of a magazine; she was at the forefront of a cultural era. Wintour’s influence in the world of fashion and fashion journalism can be seen everywhere, from designers curating their collections to each Vogue issue’s tone to the movie characters she’s unintentionally inspired (shoutout Miranda Priestley).
But as they say, all good things must come to an end.
On Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025, Anna Wintour officially announced that journalist Chloe Malle would be stepping into the role of Head of Editorial Content for American Vogue. Almost instantly, the internet began weighing in. To some, this decision came as a surprise, certain people having a hard time imagining Vogue with any name other than “Wintour” attached to it. To others, Wintour’s age and already historic stint as editor rationalized this decision.
So who exactly is the woman stepping up to fill Wintour’s shoes—or, better yet, sunglasses?
Malle, who began working at Vogue in 2011 as social editor, is a French-American journalist. In 2023, Malle took on the roles of editor for Vogue.com and co-host of Vogue’s podcast The Run Through. In her time at Vogue, Malle has doubled direct traffic to vogue.com and, in the words of Wintour herself, “proven that she can find a balance between American Vogue’s long singular history and its future on the front lines of the new.”
So…she seems qualified, right? That’s at least what I thought, until I opened TikTok to find hundreds of videos and comments calling Malle out for her “nepo baby” status and critiquing her past outfits. One comment even described the dress she wore in Vogue’s Instagram post announcing her new role as “giving conservative tradewife.”
I do think there is some validity in these statements. Chloe Malle is the daughter of American actress Candice Bergen and French Filmmaker Louis Malle, making her a “nepo baby.” However, Malle has very publicly embraced this title, telling the New York Times, “There is no question that I have 100 percent benefited from the privilege I grew up in, and it’s delusional to say otherwise.” Malle also explained in this interview that it has made her work that much harder to make a name for herself, and that she’s constantly seeking new ways to differentiate her work from her parents’. Personally, I think it’s admirable that she recognizes the privileges her “nepo” status gives her, and I disagree that this automatically invalidates her other achievements and qualifications.
While the internet was full of disappointed Vogue readers, many people came to Malle’s defense, arguing that her “questionable” outfits should be separated from her work as editor and that, because style is such a personal and creative form of self-expression, we have no right to judge her choices. Many TikTokers compared this debate to a chef coming home from work and eating instant ramen, or an art historian being expected to paint perfectly.
I agree with the latter of these two takes because, while I understand that it’s hard to separate the Head of Editorial Content at American Vogue from what she wears in public appearances, I don’t believe that what someone wears necessarily reflects their talents, qualifications, or skill set. The discussion around the appointment of Chloe Malle reveals something really interesting about a lot of people’s understanding of the fashion industry, which is that to be viewed as an “expert” or even simply competent, you must embody the fashion sense that individuals online/in the general public deem to be “good.” In reality, fashion is deeply personal, reflecting individual emotions, experiences, and preferences, as Vogue’s In My Closet video with Malle clearly demonstrates.
I, for one, am excited to see what Malle brings to American Vogue, and while Anna Wintour is beyond iconic, having someone with a fresher, younger perspective wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Not to mention, Wintour is still going to be just down the hall, seeing as she isn’t stepping down completely, simply shifting focus to overseeing all international editions of Vogue.
So, while the fashion world might still be raising an eyebrow at the thought of American Vogue without Wintour steering the ship, Chloe Malle’s appointment signifies a new, exciting chapter. Malle’s journalistic experience, digital savvy, and playful personality have the potential to define a new era —one that blends Vogue’s historic legacy with modernity and revolution. And maybe one day one of Malle’s signature accessories will be just as iconic as her predecessor’s. For now, I am retracting my statement that “all good things must come to an end,” because I have hope that under Malle, the good will go on.