Tell Anna Wintour How To Improve / Revamp US Vogue

[Ella]

I hadn't even realized they were allowed show breasts until I actually found myself the foreign Vogue section.
Agreed to all of the other comments too, I must admit, this is an excellent idea for a topic. We always seem to complain about its dreadful quality here, but never actually do anything about it.

So far:
- actual models on the cover
- better quality paper
- I'd rather pay more money for a half-decent magazine
- this is supposed to last me a month... make it worthwhile!
- no more identical poses, editorials inside for the celebs (tattered couch, what a friendly, down-to-earth person they are, upcoming promotions, etc. etc.)
- proper, creative editorials
- as was said, enough with the ladylike, chic look
(I love it as much as the next person- but for how many seasons?)
- enough with Daria, Liya, Gemma
- don't be the last to find the new models... funny how US Vogue only started using Gemma when she'd finally been over the major runways.
>How about actually beating the trend for a change?
- Liya Kebede is not the only black model out there!
- no more constant articles on plastic surgery, botox and liposuction
(We get it, Anna, but the rest of us aren't all too interested in that...)
- And oh, yes, put Sasha on the cover

Fin. We need to be listened to, so I can actually buy that magazine again.

I agree! I don't understand why there are always articles about plastic surgery, many of them every year.
I also want models on the cover, I don't mind actresses/singers if it's not in every issue. US Vogue covers from the past year:
-April 2004: Gwen Stefani
-May 2004: Nicole Kidman
-June 2004: Kate Hudson
-July 2004: Kirsten Dunst
-August 2004: The Presleys
-September 2004: Daria, Natalia, Gisele, Isabeli, Karolina, Liya, Hana, Gemma and Karen (the only model cover they had for a long time, and these ones come like once a decade)
-October 2004: Charlize Theron
-November 2004: Jennifer Connelly
-December 2004: Cate Blanchett
-January 2005: Jennifer Lopez
-February 2005: Melania Knauss
-March 2005: Sandra Bullock
And now Drew Barrymore...
I also agree about the font and the bad quality of the paper, and that it is almost never as thick as the other Vogues. And I don't like the fact that they always use the same models for their editorials.

 

[Zimdor]

Despite the current direction of US Vogue, I think no matter what we say or suggest, its highly unlikely to change. Even if someone more radical/progressive than AW is there as editor-in-chief, they are going to be bound by the market (implying the advertisers) they have to appeal to.

I do believe Anna is fully aware of what direction she is positioning the mag and the criticism the mag gets in come circles (like this forum) because of it. Actresses on the cover continually, often uninspired editorials (despite the top-caliber photogs), using the same models over and over, a lack of sexuality compared with European Vogues, etc. etc.. All of that is driven not only by Anna's personal desires, but consideration of the US market.

The US is a substantially more "puritan" market than Europe (or Canada) is by a very long shot. Also a considerably more conservative market in general. One boob (hey, "boob" is fun to say) slightly hanging out and you have a monumental outcry from some circles. Advertisers want to appeal to the broadest possible audience. Offending the Boob Brigade is not a way to do that.

By shaping US Vogue to appeal to the broadest possible US audience (and US culture is far more interested in celebrity than real fashion, compared with Europe or Canada), more advertisers are attracted to sign up with them. Meaning more revenue for the magazine, which is the essential point of any for-profit enterprise.

I thus don't think US Vogue is going to change much, not matter who is in charge. Until there is a massive cultural shift in the US to become more accepting of cultural risk, which I don't see happening any time soon, unfortunately.

 

[gaygaygay]

What about a 46 page spread of her eating her wig

 

[Diorling]

^ I was about to say that. A nipple would cause the conservatives to go up in arms with "think about the children!" Georgie boy would have to make a speach about the loss of morals.

I doubt anything will happen, Vogue would have to lose alot of readership. It's still considered to be the fashion bible in the US, although the most stylish people I know don't read it. I think Vogue should make a nice meeting between People and VogueUK, celebs and fashion together.

 

[softgrey]

seceral mainstream magazines...think Redbook...
have been taken off the stands at walmart because of coverlines about sex or orgasms...

most people may not realize just how conservative middle america really is...
their logic is that if there magazine are readily available where people shop with their children...then they need to be child-appropriate...whatever they think that is...

...

 

[arlekindearrabal]

think models... you're trying to be too mainstream, you're not elle, darling... how about people who are actually doing interesting things, not just boring celebrities, on the pages of your mag?? keep the production values, and wonderful photographers (sp. steven klein ... also, in thinking models, how about actual ethnic variety?? not just liya every month, as wonderful as she is

 

[softgrey]

c'est tout...

 

[Hanne]

Lets keep it civil

 

[lady grey]

meanwhile back at the conde nast cafeteria w/the owner of vogue & ny's richest man

maybe we should think more pragmatically & send SI newhouse [owner of conde nast, advance publishing, vogue & 100 other mags, & NYC's richest man] a new outfit to replace his lime sweatshirt, khakis & old tennis trainers as described below.

how about we send him a chocolate brown lacoste 2 button polo & a lacoste cream tennis cardigan as a gift along with our suggestions? Im serious I write to anna, SI & grace all the time, they DO listen to suggestions- {occasionally!} -

[vogue-

4 times sq-

ny ny 10001]

now to gawker.com and this disturbing SI anecdote from wednesday:

From deep within the platinum-glazed walls of the Condé Nast cafeteria, a reader sends word of a possible health crisis:

""I work at Condé Nast and, as a straight guy, there are a lot of things about 4 Times Square that I find strange and amusing. Well, yesterday I saw the strangest. While in line at the grill station, I spotted S.I. Newhouse ambling around the caf wearing his standard lime green sweatshirt and khaki outfit. All of a sudden he makes a beeline to the salad bar and — with his bare hands — reaches down and grabs a fistful of edamame, shunning the tongs and spoon entirely (such things are just decorative for Masters of the Universe). I was a little too stunned to notice if he then just stuffed his catch into his pocket or if he sought out a plate, but it made an impression on me nonetheless. I guess if you own the building and everyone in it, these types of things are your prerogative. ​

Gross? Maybe, but the Governor of Glossy hasn’t the time for your silly, plebeian utensils.""


from gawker.com march 31, 2005:

[SI is the owner of vogue, vanity fair, allure, and NYC's RICHEST man.
and he deserves a new polo & jumper!! I HATE lime green!! ]

 

[Misako]

Zimdor - that's absolutely correct, unfortunately... (yay for those that've studied Business, Economics, and Politics. )

 

[dancingellecat]

Here you go, Sashatheelf...it took literally no time whatsoever, that's why it is very crappy. Live with it.

 

[hugobossdaria]

i would love to see more models and covers just like italian vogue

 

[Andro]

I agree that she needs more models on the covers. Those dam actresses are stealing away the hard earned work and money; that is typicaly reserved for models(Vogue covers). Wheres Kate, Linda and Naomi!!!!

 

[iconemod]

Here you go, Sashatheelf...it took literally no time whatsoever, that's why it is very crappy. Live with it.

Gorgeous, it looks more like an indie rock underground mag, or fanzine
Sasha, get me that rifff...

 

[james]

their eds really suck.the same models.and they are all so...photoshopped.too many celebs.nothing to read.plastic.too bloody many ads!!!I counted how many pages last fall's supermod-issue had, and it was something like half of the pages.that really sucks.that's wrong with all American mags,though.

anyway, that's the things that pop to my mind when I think of Vogue US...

 

[Deleted member 1957]

i also agree with the model monopoly thing. it makes you get sick of everyone!!!

 

[armyofme]

american vogue is the worst of all the vogues in my opinion. celebrities are always on the cover, and the articles always bore me. the graphic design is extremely boring, and i agree that the same models are always used. american vogue needs to step it up and focus more on fashion than on hollywood!

 

[jssy4eva]

They should put Eugina on the cover since they photoshopped her out of the supermodels cover.......

 

[bun-bun]

I recently acquired a whole bunch of Vogues from the early to mid-1990s and I see that they were actually not that different from today's Vogues in the models they used aspect. They had the model monopoly back then too. I think I counted Kristy Hume in a total of 30 pages over three editorials one issue, and there she was again in the next issue and the next. (And the same can be said for Trish Gosh, Bridget, etc).

Does the model monopoly thing date back even earlier than 1990 does anyone know?

 

[hugobossdaria]

It would be nice if they got all the biggest models ever on the cover of vogue like those past issues.