The Run-Through with Vogue: Emma Stone Is Vogue’s September Cover Star! PLUS Alex Cooper’s Podcast Empire
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Hosts: Taylor Antrim and Virginia Smith Guests: Jason Gay (Vogue Writer), Alessandra Cadena (Vogue Writer), Hamish Bowles (Contributor)
1. Introduction to Vogue's September Issue
In this episode, hosts Taylor Antrim and Virginia Smith delve deep into Vogue's highly anticipated September issue, renowned for its focus on fashion and high-caliber features. Joining them is Jason Gay, a seasoned Vogue writer, who provides insider insights into the creation and significance of this flagship edition.
Notable Quote:
“The designers who were formerly of Prada and now are taking over at Loewe.” — Virginia Smith [00:54]
2. The Ambitious Planning Process
Jason Gay elaborates on the extensive planning that goes into the September issue, beginning with early meetings in Paris during the March collections. These sessions involve international Vogue editors who collaboratively define the season's themes, emphasizing creativity, personal style, and individuality to maintain fashion's relevance in challenging times.
Notable Quote:
“What makes fashion relevant, particularly in these, like, very trying times ... creativity and personality and personal style and individuality ... was really the question we were trying to answer.” — Jason Gay [03:07]
3. Highlighting the September Issue's Features
The September issue boasts a variety of high-profile profiles, including Tory Burch, Lauren Sanchez, and Huma Abedin. A standout feature is the COVID-focused story on Emma Stone, complemented by a deep dive into Alex Cooper's burgeoning podcast empire.
Notable Quotes:
“Personality dressing was a big one for September.” — Virginia Smith [08:37]
“We have Grace Coddington back on the COVID story, which is incredible.” — Jason Gay [09:02]
4. Innovative Fashion Shoots and Collaborations
Jason discusses the innovative fashion shoots in the issue, highlighting collaborations with renowned photographers like Stephen Klein and emerging talents like Drew Vickers. The use of CGI and AI technologies has transformed traditional shoots into otherworldly visuals, pushing the boundaries of fashion photography.
Notable Quote:
“He uses CGI and AI to create these otherworldly backgrounds.” — Virginia Smith [06:22]
5. Exclusive Conversations with Feature Writers
The latter half of the episode features in-depth conversations with Jason Gay and Alessandra Cadena about their respective features on Emma Stone and Alex Cooper.
a. Emma Stone's COVID Story
Jason recounts his enduring relationship with Emma Stone, detailing their previous interviews and the significance of returning to profile her during the COVID era. The collaboration with Nicolas Ghesquier, who designed a bespoke collection for the shoot, underscores Emma's enduring influence in the fashion world.
Notable Quote:
“Grace is so detail-oriented ... she really maps out the pictures in her head.” — Jason Gay [09:06]
b. Alex Cooper’s Podcast Empire
Alessandra Cadena discusses her deep dive into Alex Cooper's podcasting success. She reflects on the transformation of "Call Her Daddy" from its tumultuous beginnings to its status as a media powerhouse. The feature explores Cooper's strategic use of media channels to control her narrative and build an empire.
Notable Quotes:
“She's been nothing but hugely successful at marketing Call her Daddy and herself and all of these other things.” — Hamish Bowles [35:06]
“That is her business. So the choice to really speak, to be seen by somebody else ... is a very intentional one.” — Hamish Bowles [33:03]
6. Navigating High-Profile Interviews
The discussion touches on the delicate balance writers maintain when interviewing high-profile individuals who are adept at managing their public personas through platforms like podcasts and social media. Alessandra emphasizes the importance of respect and genuine interest, ensuring that interviews remain insightful without overstepping personal boundaries.
Notable Quote:
“I approach it from the standpoint of how does talking about this personal change in her life inform the reason she's on the cover of Vogue.” — Alessandra Cadena [31:00]
7. The Integral Role of Photography
Both writers acknowledge the pivotal role of photography in Vogue's storytelling. The collaboration with legendary photographers like Jamie Hawkesworth for Emma Stone's feature adds a layer of visual artistry that complements the written narrative, creating a holistic and immersive reader experience.
Notable Quote:
“I often sometimes feel like I'm writing a very lengthy caption to the real magic of a cover story, which is, you know, in Vogue tradition, the photography.” — Alessandra Cadena [42:51]
8. Final Thoughts and Future Directions
As the episode wraps up, the guests share their excitement about the forthcoming features and the continuing evolution of Vogue's editorial vision. They reflect on the magazine's enduring relevance and its ability to adapt to contemporary media landscapes while maintaining its storied legacy.
Notable Quote:
“We all know that there's a pretty rich tradition of stagecraft ... and this is anything but. They have gone after some really heavy-hitting kinds of stuff and made some really great things and continued to have success with it.” — Alessandra Cadena [29:00]
This episode offers a comprehensive look into Vogue's September issue, highlighting the meticulous planning, creative collaborations, and in-depth features that define its prestige. Listeners gain valuable insights into the editorial processes, the challenges of profiling influential personalities, and the seamless integration of visual and written storytelling that Vogue is celebrated for.