Fashion People Podcast Summary

Episode: Vanity Fair Goes Boy Crazy and Harper’s Bazaar Goes Meghan
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Lauren Sherman (A)
Guests: Amanda Dobbins (C, The Ringer), Adam Shapiro (D, L52)

Main Theme Overview

This episode dives into two major media moments: Vanity Fair's new "Boy" Hollywood cover(s) and Harper’s Bazaar’s Meghan Markle feature. Lauren Sherman first analyzes the covers and their cultural impact with Amanda Dobbins, breaking down the evolution of magazine strategy and the shifting criteria for star power. In the second half, Sherman is joined by Adam Shapiro to explore why luxury fashion is eyeing India as the next growth territory—discussing everything from local artisanship to Bollywood's global influence.

Vanity Fair’s “Boy” Hollywood Issue

(with Amanda Dobbins, 03:27–18:51)

Key Discussion Points

• The “Boy” Issue Structure

  • Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue has split covers this year, unusually not using the signature pullout format (04:57).
  • Features a portfolio of up-and-coming male actors, styled in an “upper-middle-class, white woman who spends too much on clothes” aesthetic (09:13).
  • Strong Dior and Bruce Weber inspired visuals, and an intentional wink to “Internet boyfriend” archetypes.

• Audience Reception and Marketplace Fit

  • Both hosts were initially confused but generally liked the styling and casting; Amanda admitted "the tagline, let's hear it for the boys. Which is cute. Just like I don't, I don't really care about...boys or men" (06:38).
  • Sherman highlights the strategy: "My subhead was men are back...the world is a little boy crazy right now" (07:19).

• Fragmentation of Celebrity & Branding

  • Discussion on how few of the cover stars would be household names: “If you went out on the street with these covers...how many of these men can you name?” (10:59).
  • Fragmented culture means covers target a niche but influential demo—straight women and gay men, according to Amanda (08:12).

• Magazine Industry Economics

  • Sherman shares that "the fashion pages were up...50% in this issue...overall advertising was up 22%"—making the bold curation financially successful (12:12).
  • The importance of creating buzz—even among insiders—is discussed.

Notable Quotes

• "When something is so tailor made to me, that means it's bad for the marketplace" – Amanda Dobbins (06:14)
• "It's good magazine making...because it gets people talking." – Amanda Dobbins (07:13)
• "Men are back. Which is like, I'm being ironic, but it's true...the world is a little boy crazy right now." – Lauren Sherman (07:27)

Memorable Moments

• Amanda and Lauren joke about wishing for invites to the Vanity Fair party, likening its red carpet to the Met Gala (14:05).
• Discussion about the difficulty of star power in today's fragmented celebrity ecosystem, referencing YouTubers vs. traditional movie stars (11:15).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Vanity Fair "Boy" Issue Format & Reaction: 03:27–07:19
• Fragmented Celebrity Culture: 10:59–13:24
• Business Side & Buzz Creation: 12:12–13:24
• Casting Hypotheticals & Star Power: 14:05–18:27

Harper’s Bazaar’s Meghan Markle Cover

(with Amanda Dobbins, 18:52–25:18)

Key Discussion Points

• Styling & Art Direction

  • Both hosts agree Meghan looked beautiful and appreciated the minimal retouching and makeup: “Hers is a face that doesn’t need it” (19:22).

• Narrative Flatness

  • Sherman: "I personally just think it’s sort of, like, flat. And I think that speaks to her, not to the production." (20:46)
  • Amanda identifies the overarching challenge: "Can you sell blandness? ...They are just sanding the edges off of absolutely everything and then hoping that people buy it." (23:19)

• Legacy & Public Persona

  • Debate about Meghan’s presence: “[She] is not Kim Kardashian. She's not Diana. She's not Oprah. ...eventually that is going to become a bigger and bigger issue for her” (22:57).
  • The role of British royals as inherently media-constructed: “You can’t really be a princess without a castle.” (25:18)

Notable Quotes

• “They are just sanding the edges off of absolutely everything and then hoping that people buy it.” – Amanda Dobbins (23:19)
• “You can’t really be a princess without a castle.” – Amanda Dobbins (25:18)

Timestamps

• Bazaar Meghan Cover Reactions: 18:52–23:11
• Debate on Charisma, Blandness, and PR: 20:46–24:00
• Legacy and Dynamics of Royal Celebrity: 24:21–25:18

India: Luxury’s Next Frontier

(with Adam Shapiro, 25:34–56:22)

Key Discussion Points

• Adam Shapiro’s Background & India Connection

  • American based in London; deep personal ties through marriage and professional roots established via a men’s brand “SMR Days” and relationships with Indian artisans (28:25–29:55).

• Why Is India a Focus Now?

  • India’s fast-growing upper and middle classes, deep local luxury ecosystem, and recent entry of giant international retailers like Galeries Lafayette and Saks (28:55–30:55).
  • Sherman: “...used to be all about BRIC countries...but the only thing we were ever talking about was China...India’s time seems to have arrived.” (27:04)

• Distinct Traits of the Indian Fashion Market

  • Bollywood’s massive influence and global reach boost brands far beyond India’s borders: "Bollywood, not for nothing...is so huge in terms of the geographic diversity of who follows it. It's not just India. It is Africa. It's the Middle east, it's Southeast Asia." (43:09)
  • Festivals, weddings, and tradition mean fashion is woven into everyday life—unlike China, India’s ecosystem is more self-sustaining and less dominated by Western imports (34:24–36:26).

• Barriers and Cultural Nuance

  • Political/economic barriers: US tariffs; meanwhile, the UK signs new free trade agreements with India (39:43).
  • Fragmented local markets, language and cultural variety mean brands need genuine local partners (41:44).

• Changing Luxury Consumption

  • The top Indian spenders act like their global peers—discreet, quality-seeking. The growing aspirational class is driving new opportunities (46:54).

Notable Quotes

• “Fashion is really part of the way that they (Indians) celebrate. And the local fashion ecosystem is really strong.” – Adam Shapiro (34:38)
• “Weddings are huge business in India and any smart brand going into the market is going to figure out how you get into the weddings.” – Adam Shapiro (34:38)
• "Bollywood... is so huge in terms of the geographic diversity of who follows it." – Adam Shapiro (43:09)
• “There are more, more international players coming into the market, that’s for sure. ...The only way is up as of now.” – Adam Shapiro (51:46)

Memorable Moments

• Adam tells how his mother-in-law in India tests jewelry by sleeping with each stone under her pillow, keeping only those that give her good dreams (53:51).

Timestamps

• Intro to Adam & India Focus: 25:34–28:25
• Rise of India as a Luxury Market: 28:55–36:26
• Political/Economic Factors: 39:43–41:44
• Bollywood’s Global Power: 42:34–44:00
• Consumer Behavior & Market Differences: 46:54–48:56
• Future Outlook & Brands to Watch: 51:33–55:06

Recommended Indian Designers to Watch

(53:02–55:06)

• Sabyasachi
• Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla
• Annamika Kanna
• Gaurav Gupta
• Chanakya (Embroidery House)
• Anita Dongre
  • Described as “wonderful” and available at more accessible price points; even has a store in New York.

Final Words / Takeaways

• On Industry Direction: Adam Shapiro predicts sustained optimism in the Indian luxury sector, supported by increasing marketing spends and international investments (51:46).
• On PR Strategy: "Really care about your customer...make sure that the end person you're trying to reach is the customer." (55:35)
• On Global Fashion’s Next Steps: Both segments leave listeners with a sense that both the Western media and luxury industries are being transformed by new definitions of star power, cultural authenticity, and market opportunity.