Is Vogue Still Relevant?
Thursday, January 8th, 2009
It seems like nobody has had the backbone to stand up and admit that American Vogue has lost its luster….until now. Last week, Cathy Horyn finally took the reigns and called out the stale magazine in The New York Times.
Headed by Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour for the last 20 years, the pages of Vogue feel out of touch and lacking the spark that made the magazine legendary when compared to its rivals. A near-constant rotation of the same old faces on the covers (including Gisele, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman and Sienna Miller) makes you wonder if you saw the same exact issue a year ago.
Interestingly, part of the reason that Wintour has survived this long at the helm is no doubt due to her knack for keeping luxury advertisers onboard and forking over the big bucks. Her authority, knowledge and commanding presence are convincing enough to those who haven’t found the same success with their luxury goods online.
Whereas other magazines are attempting to reach out to average readers, Vogue dedicates entire pages to socialites that have no relevance and offers downright hilarious tips on dealing with the recession like featuring a $975.00 sewing kit.
Vogue needs a jolt and a freshening up, with or without Wintour.
What’s your take on the current state of American Vogue? Does it still matter?
