Sorry, but I find that a bit naive...you can't really imagine a scenario like that because actually Emmanuelle Alt herself is pretty much responsible for the entire success of Balmain.
Of course, I wasn't being literal. The point was that Balmain is in Vogue because it reflects Emmanuel taste, not because she really hates the clothes but they slipped her a big fat check to bribe her into featuring them anyway.
On top of that, should a stylist only create editorials with outfits that he or she'd wear herself or that suit her own style? I don't think so.
I was talking about taste, not personal style, though with Emmanuelle the distinction is pointless.
The point is stylists are hired for their taste, so of course their work will reflect it.
When brands hire her to style their campaign or runway show, they can be pretty sure she will use their stuff in the magazine all the time so it means even extra visibility for them. And in the meanwhile, she'll make sure to send them an invoice...
And? What is the difference between what they are doing and what Anna is doing?
She uses her influence to get jobs to designers she likes. Designers notoriously take into account her opinions and sometimes edit their collections accordingly (In September issue, there is a whole passage with Thakoon and Gap illustrating that).
All fashion houses know that pleasing Anna means space in Vogue US.
The only difference I see here is money. Personally I have no issue with the Vogue girls getting paid for a job they actually do.
And as I already said, they also feature brands they don't work with, if that means a good fashion story. They are probably the magazine that feature the most Alaia and the guy doesn't advertise. That have supported Balenciaga from the beginning of Nicolas' tenure even when the brand didn't advertise much (or at all), etc.
And I also think they have already compromised on the quality of the magazine....a while ago already. Because the pages are full with Balmain, Givenchy and some huge advertisers, it leaves very little room for independent and/or younger designers who are sometimes very talented (Dries van Noten, Ann Demeulmeester, Haider Ackermann, some London designers etc.)
As opposed to what mainstream fashion magazine?
Pleasing big advertisers is a reality all mainstream magazines have to face in order to survive. The trick is to do that while still remaining creative and keeping an identity (I don't know about creativity recently but Vogue Paris certainly has a strong identity). Whatever you might say about what Carine and co are doing at the moment, their love of fashion is undeniable.
Personally I am not too found of the recent direction Vogue Paris has recently taken. But to me this is just an unpleasent fashion moment and not symtomatic of a corrupt system.
PS: Carine's remark doesn't come off as someone egotriping (since when is Carine known as an egomaniac?), but rather as the reflection of a fashion editor who is frustrated and upset that her magazine has lost access to one of the most exiting fashion brand around. I would be upset too. The girl loves fashion.
Even if how much Marie-Amelie pumps up Balenciaga, if Anna Wintour says no, it's a no.
Sometimes some people really lost their mind....
