First issued in 1892 by Arthur Baldwin Turnure, Vogue was published as a weekly newspaper based in New York for upper-class news and events. Arthur Baldwin Turnure died in 1906, leaving Vogue to be bought by Condé Montrose Nast’s mass media company, Condé Nast, in 1909. Under their management, Vogue transformed into a monthly fashion magazine and released British Vogue as the first international edition in 1916, soon followed by the French edition in 1920. Continuing the trend of improvements, Vogue featured its first picture cover in 1932.
Condé Montrose Nast died in 1942; Vogue was then passed to Samuel I. Newhouse, who bought the Condé Nast media company as a gift for his wife who loved Vogue.
1950 was the start of Vogue’s “powerful years,” when Jessica Daves became Editor-in-Chief; Vogue was turning from a form of entertainment to a guide for the modern working women who wanted to be on the latest fashion trends.
In 1964 the Italian Vogue adopted the name “Novità” or “Novelties.” Soon it was changed to “Vogue & Novità” in 1965, and in 1966, the name settled on “Vogue Italia” remaining to the present day. Fourty-two years after the first photograph cover, Vogue was changing with the times and made fashion history when Beverly Johnson was made the first Black model to be on the cover of Vogue in 1974.
Vogue thrived from 2000-2010, in what may be considered some of their most iconic years. Expanding online, Vogue promoted diversity in fashion and beauty and encompassed countless well-known designers.
“I would say I appreciate what Vogue does, and has done a lot in shifting to the new media trends such as their online platforms and the way that they’ve really incorporated sales into their platforms as well,” Catherine Crider, a writer for Forbes and Healthline said over the phone.
Throughout the decade, the magazine established trends, honored historical events and embodied high fashion. Vogue transformed the face of fashion and continues to be used as a tool for setting trend ideas.
From the beginning of the 2010s to the current year of 2023, Vogue has continued to set trends. Throughout the years, they have embraced sustainability and technological changes, highlighting their adaptability to the scene and their flexibility in the fashion industry.
“I think Vogue is very influential in the fashion realm,” Crider said. “They’ve definitely done some forward-facing moves and influenced that genre of writing.”
In the late 2010s, Vogue started to get into the social activism scene, fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and equality for women. Vogue has remained an influential source on fashion while adjusting to shifts in society, placing a focus on issues such as sustainability, diversity and the marriage of fashion and technology. It continues to be a cultural icon, influencing readers all over the world and making a lasting impression on the always-changing realm of style and fashion.
