Podcast Summary: Anna Wintour Embraces a New Era at Vogue

The New Yorker Radio Hour | Hosted by David Remnick | Aired: September 5, 2025

Overview

This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour marks a major transition at the iconic fashion magazine, Vogue. David Remnick interviews Anna Wintour on the day Chloe Malle was announced as her successor for the role of editor-in-chief of American Vogue, ending Wintour’s nearly 40-year tenure in that seat. Wintour discusses her legacy, the challenges and opportunities facing Vogue and fashion at large, the succession process, her personal history, and her outlook on the evolution of fashion media. The conversation is filled with insightful anecdotes, candid reflections, and plenty of signature Wintour wit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The End of an Era: Transition at Vogue

• Chloe Malle’s Appointment

  • Anna expresses strong confidence in her successor, highlighting Chloe’s clarity of vision, originality, and cultural sensibility.
    • “She understands a newsroom. She understands immediacy. She understands culture. She understands completely that fashion doesn't exist in a vacuum, that it's a result of many different forces…” – Anna Wintour [02:25]
  • Malle’s viral story “Doge” is cited as a recent success, demonstrating Chloe’s playful yet timely editorial instincts.

• Wintour’s Evolving Role

  • Anna will remain as editorial director of all Vogue editions worldwide and as Chief Content Officer at Condé Nast.
  • The physical proximity between outgoing and incoming editors is acknowledged as “strange” but seen as a strength, with Wintour emphasizing her commitment to giving Chloe autonomy.
    • “I implicitly trust Chloe and I want her to succeed to the best possible degree.” – Anna Wintour [05:40]

The Changing Landscape of Fashion Media

• Vogue’s Influence in the Digital Age

  • Social media reach and multiplatform strategies have amplified Vogue’s influence far beyond print's original scope.
    • “Chloe has a much bigger platform than I had when I came in.” – Anna Wintour [08:11]
  • Print is now regarded as a collectible, event-driven product rather than a staple, with future editions becoming fewer but more significant.
    • “Print has to feel more substantial, more important. I mean, it's our Runway show.” – Anna Wintour [12:09]

• Leadership Styles & Editorial Philosophy

  • Wintour is considered synonymous with decisive, exacting editorial direction but pushes back against the caricature of total control.
    • “I think it's really important to surround yourself with people whom you admire and that you respect.” – Anna Wintour [14:15]
  • She stresses the importance of insight into multiple platforms and trusting talented staff globally.

Fashion, Politics, Culture, and Sustainability

• Fashion’s Place Amidst Global Uncertainty

  • Fashion is defended as a vital form of self-expression and creativity:
    • “Fashion is always important. It's a question of self-expression and a statement about yourself.” – Anna Wintour [13:23]
  • The discussion touches on the democratization of fashion, shifting trends, and the ever-present interplay of political and cultural forces.

• On Print, Economics, and Tariffs

  • Vogue’s move to fewer print editions is framed as a creative and business necessity, emphasizing quality and cultural resonance.
  • The fashion industry’s anxieties about global economics, trade tariffs, and changing consumer demographics are examined.
    • “The industry has been very hard hit by the tariffs… it's going to make it even more difficult, particularly for the smaller businesses.” – Anna Wintour [30:49]

• Fashion and Political Advocacy

  • Anna openly discusses her political engagement, especially with the Democratic Party.
  • She balances her personal values with journalistic standards in Vogue’s coverage.

Personal Reflections: Anna Wintour’s Career and Persona

• Origins and Motivation

  • Anna shares anecdotes from her upbringing in a journalism family and her early ambitions.
    • “My dad was someone who always had to be there. He had to be in the newsroom. And that was actually exciting in a way.” – Anna Wintour [15:29]
  • Her path to Vogue, including her firing from Harper’s Bazaar (“Everyone should be fired once”), is detailed with self-deprecating humor.

• Developing Her Image and Work Ethic

  • Anna discusses her iconic look and daily routines, revealing vulnerability and practical decision-making.
    • “For my hair, it was always pretty much this way… A British hairdresser decided they were going to experiment on me and they cut it into three layers and it was honestly the worst haircut you've ever seen…” [23:47]
  • Early mornings and multitasking defined her rise.

• Legacy and Succession

  • Cites her pride in nurturing creative talent as her greatest achievement at Vogue.
    • “It's about who you surround yourself with entirely. And in the end, that's by far the most important accomplishment to me.” [36:20]

Candid and Memorable Moments

• On Celebrity and Fashion Shifts

  • The rationale behind moving celebrities onto Vogue covers is discussed, reflecting broader shifts in culture.
    • “It just felt like the right [thing]... Madonna, of all the many celebrities that we've had on the cover of Vogue, she certainly loved and epitomized fashion and was fearless with it.” – Anna Wintour [34:47]

• The Devil Wears Prada

  • Anna recalls the premiere, embracing the humor and cultural moment, despite initial concerns about her portrayal.
    • “Well, I went to the premiere wearing Prada, completely, having no idea what the film was going to be about… I found it highly enjoyable and very funny.” [32:53]

• Lightning Round: Signature Anna

  • Anna deflects direct questions about greatest designers or fashion shows, always looking ahead.
    • Q: “Who is the greatest fashion designer of your era?”
      A: “As editor, David, I only look towards the future.” [37:12]
    • Q: “Most lamentable fashion trend?”
      A: “DayGlo.” [37:26]
    • On her assistants: “Nobody at Vogue moves at a glacial pace. Least of all my assistants.” [37:44]

• Playful Rapport with Remnick

  • Anna playfully reassures David about his fashion sense:
    • “David, I'm very touched that you wore a jacket, but I really like you in those New Yorker sweatshirts.” [38:06]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “She understands a newsroom. She understands immediacy. She understands culture.” – Anna Wintour [02:25]
• “I implicitly trust Chloe and I want her to succeed to the best possible degree.” – Anna Wintour [05:40]
• “Print has to feel more substantial, more important. I mean, it's our Runway show.” – Anna Wintour [12:09]
• “Fashion is always important. It's a question of self-expression and a statement about yourself.” – Anna Wintour [13:23]
• “It's about who you surround yourself with entirely. And in the end, that's by far the most important accomplishment to me.” – Anna Wintour [36:20]
• “Nobody at Vogue moves at a glacial pace. Least of all my assistants.” – Anna Wintour [37:44]
• “David, I'm very touched that you wore a jacket, but I really like you in those New Yorker sweatshirts.” – Anna Wintour [38:06]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Chloe Malle’s Selection – [01:52–03:29]
• Why Step Aside Now? – [03:29–04:06]
• How the Jobs Will Overlap – [05:00–07:26]
• Vogue in the Multiplatform Era – [08:11–10:06]
• Print vs. Digital, Moving Forward – [10:06–13:07]
• Fashion and Self-Expression – [13:07–13:58]
• Anna’s Editorial Style & Control – [14:05–14:38]
• Early Career, Failures and Ambition – [20:00–23:38]
• Daily Routine and Persona – [23:47–25:23]
• On The Devil Wears Prada – [32:53–34:01]
• Legacy and What She’s Most Proud Of – [36:20–36:25]
• Lightning Round (with humor) – [37:08–38:12]

Conclusion

This episode provides an illuminating look at the significance of Anna Wintour’s tenure, the thoughtful handoff to Chloe Malle, and the state of both Vogue and the global fashion industry. Anna’s blend of decisiveness, forward-thinking, and playful nuance shines throughout—as does her appetite for nurturing talent and embracing change. If you want to understand the mind shaping modern fashion’s narrative—along with a glimpse into a distinguished editorial legacy—this conversation covers it all.