British Vogue

''British Vogue'' (stylised in all caps) is the British edition of the American fashion magazine Vogue. The magazine was launched in 1916 by Condé Nast, linking together fashion and high society.König A. (2006). Glossy Words: An Analysis of Fashion Writing in British Vogue. Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture, 10(1/2), 205–224.

''British Vogue'' is the third most profitable edition of ''Vogue'' worldwide (other than the American and Chinese editions).

Background

''British Vogue'' is the British edition of the American fashion magazine Vogue. The magazine is published monthly twelve times per year. Within the United Kingdom copies of the magazine come without the 'British' in the 'O' in the publications logo.

Circulation

Editors

History

Early years under Chapcommunal, Todd, and Settle (1916–1934)

During the World War I, Condé Nast (publisher of ''Vogue'') dealt with restritions on overseas shipping and paper shortages in the United States. To answer the problem the decision was made to launch a British edition providing ''Vogue'' coverage across the British Isles, with the American edition unable to be shipped to Britain.

Under the editor Elspeth Champcommunal, articles included 'society and sporting news... Health and beauty advice... travelogues... and editorials', making a 'skillfully mixed cocktail'.Mahood, A., ''Fashioning Readers: The avant garde and British Vogue, 1920-9'' in ''Women'', 13 (1) (2002), pp. 37–47

Dorothy Todd became editor in 1923 and was renowned for her boldness, especially blending the arts and fashion. Under her leadership the magazine shifted its focus from fashion to literature, featuring articles from Clive Bell, Virginia Woolf, Aldous Huxley, and more. However, the magazine also lost much of its audience due to these changes and she was replaced by Alison Settle in 1926.

Pre and post-war under Penrose and Withers (1935–1960)

Audrey Withers became editor of the magazine in 1940 (replacing Elizabeth Penrose Howkins who edited the publication from 1935 to 1939). During the World War II the magazine reported on events of the war. In 1944, Lee Miller was sent to Normandy by Withers to produce an article on wartime nursing; then following the Allied advance through Europe reporting on the liberation of Paris and Buchenwald concentration camp.

Under Anna Wintour and Liz Tilberis (1985–1992)

Anna Wintour served as Editor-in-Chief from 1985 to 1987 before taking over ''House & Garden'', only editing the magazine for ten months before becoming Editor-in-Chief of American ''Vogue'' a position which she is still in.

Liz Tilberis then took over the magazine running the publication until 1992 when she joined ''Vogue'''s rival ''Harper's Bazaar'' in New York City as editor-in-chief.

Under Alexandra Shuman (1992–2017)

Under Alexandra Shulman the magazine drew over a million readers. Shulman developed collectors issues of the magazine such as the 'Gold Millennium Issue'. Shulman was also praised for her use of up and coming photographers like Mario Testino. Shulman pushed designers to stop using 'size-zero' models and attempted to 'change the face of fashion'.

In 2016, Shulman collaborated with photographer Josh Olins to shoot Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on the cover of ''Vogues centenary issue. The photographs were subsequently featured in the National Portrait Gallery, London The magazine under Shulman was the subject of Richard Macer's behind-the-scenes BBC documentary, ''Absolutely Fashion: Inside British Vogue'' (2016).

Current era under Enninful and Nnandi (2017–present)

Edward Enninful was confirmed as the new editor-in-chief of British ''Vogue'' on 10 April 2017. Condé Nast International Chairman and CEO Jonathan Newhouse announced him as the successor to Alexandra Shulman, calling Enninful "an influential figure in the communities of fashion, Hollywood and music which shape the cultural zeitgeist", adding that "by virtue of his talent and experience, Edward is supremely prepared to assume the responsibility of British ''Vogue''".

Enninful's first issue as editor-in-chief was 2017's December issue, featuring British model and activist Adwoa Aboah on the cover.

The magazine's September 2020 triple gatefold cover featured pictures of 20 activists often associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, including Marcus Rashford and Adwoa Aboah. The Activism Now edition was photographed by Misan Harriman and was the first British ''Vogue'' cover taken by a black man in the magazine's 104-year history (Nadine Ijewere was the first black female to take a cover photograph).

Actress Dame Judi Dench became the oldest person at age 85 to be featured on the June 2020 cover. In 2022, actor Timothée Chalamet became the first, solo male print cover star, in the magazine's history.

In June 2023, Enninful announced his departure from the magazine and his last cover was the March 2024 issue.

Chioma Nnadi succeeded Enninful as editor, and was the first Black woman to be head of editorial content at the publication.

See also

* '' Vogue'', American edition in publication since 1892
* '' Vogue Australia'', Australian edition in publication since 1959 (from 1952 as a ''British Vogue'' supplement)
* '' Men in Vogue'', Men's edition in publication from 1965 to 1970
* List of ''British Vogue'' cover models

Notes

References

External links

*
British Vogue
' website
*
British Vogue
' - Fashion Model Directory
*
British Vogue
' - models.com

{{Vogue magazines

Women's magazines published in the United Kingdom
Fashion magazines published in the United Kingdom
Condé Nast magazines
Magazines established in 1916
English-language magazines
1916 establishments in the United Kingdom
Monthly magazines published in the United Kingdom