By Brogan Ringgold
Boston University News Service
Chloe Malle has officially been chosen to fill longtime Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour’s position for American Vogue. As the company transitions its leadership after 37 years, people question if Malle is the right choice.
Wintour, who became editor-in-chief in 1988, is widely credited with shaping Vogue’s reputation as a powerhouse publication. Before her tenure, staple characteristics of fashion magazines like celebrity spotlights and portrait-style photography were almost unheard of.
Her first cover featuring Israeli model Michaela Bercu broke the mold. Shot casually outside, it was the first cover to ever feature a pair of jeans. In fact, before the issue went to print, Vogue’s printers called in to see whether the cover was a mistake.
Wintour remains the global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer of Condé Nast, the publication’s parent company, while Malle takes up a new position as head of editorial content. The new leader, who previously worked as both editor of the Vogue website and as co-host of the podcast “The Run-Through,” still reports directly to Wintour. She’ll remain close by, staying in the same office just down the hall.
Now overseeing the day-to-day operations of American Vogue Malle aims to make a name for herself beyond Anna Wintour’s replacement.
Malle’s strategy to distinguish herself has already begun as she plans to print Vogue less frequently. The issues will only be published around a cultural moment or a specific theme, moving away from the magazine’s typical monthly release.
In her previous role as editor of Vogue’s website, Malle’s efforts doubled direct traffic to the site. Still, the decision for her position has been highly contested. Critics across the internet recognize her achievements at the company, but question Malle’s ability to lead in a post-Wintour era.
Malle has received criticisms over her upbringing, being the child of French film director Louis Malle and actress Candice Bergen. “Nepo baby Anna rewarding another nepo baby,” said one Reddit user.
“I don’t really see a problem with her being a nepo baby,” said Deni Menendez, a sophomore at Boston University. “I just can’t imagine anyone replacing Anna [Wintour]. She’s too iconic.”
Malle doesn’t deny these claims, openly embracing the label of “nepo baby.”
“There is no question that I have 100 percent benefited from the privilege I grew up in,” said Malle in an interview with The New York Times. “It’s delusional to say otherwise.”
Taking this top role at 39 years old, people have also noted her young age, despite Wintour taking the position at the same age.
“If she’s [Malle] been there 14 years and is liked by the rest of the staff, it’s hard to imagine she didn’t earn a chance,” said another Reddit user.
Wintour notes that it was not an easy decision. Still, “Chloe consistently came back with the clearest vision and the most original ideas,” she said in an interview with The New Yorker, describing her successor’s point of view as “quirky” and “unusual.”
Vogue’s October issue, the first released under Malle in this new role, was put out only days after the announcement was made. Featuring Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid in a ranch-inspired outdoor shoot, disappointed readers who had hoped for a unique look — like that of Anna Wintour’s first cover.
Despite her lauded point of view by her predecessor, the cover did not hit the mark. “An uninspired and deeply predictable first cover by chloe malle,” said one X user on a viral post.
“Honestly, the cover is kind of boring,” said Arya Dolkar, a senior at Boston University. “But, she [Malle] probably needs some time to find her own style. There’s nothing wrong with getting better as you go.”
Although she did do the interview for the October issue with Jenner and Hadid, others on social media have expressed doubt that this was the first cover that was officially overseen by Malle.
“That was not Chloe’s first cover,” said Tyler McCall, a freelance print writer and TikTok creator. “Magazines take a long time to put together, you guys. That turn around doesn’t happen in a week.”
McCall doesn’t expect Malle’s full vision for Vogue to be fully realized until early 2026 with either the February or March issue.
Whether Malle was responsible for the cover or not, the new editor still has time to craft a memorable cover like her predecessor’s debut.
Despite the criticisms, Wintour is among the most hopeful for Malle.
“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,” she said in her statement to Vogue staff. “I am so excited to continue working with her…while she leads us and our audiences where we’ve never been before.”