Vogue (magazine)
The first issue of Vogue appeared on the 17th of December 1892. Arthur Baldwin Turnure published this weekly newspaper in New York City with a cover price of 10 cents. The publication targeted New York's upper class by recounting their habits, leisure activities, and social gatherings. Turnure intended to create a magazine that celebrated the ceremonial side of life for both men and women. It covered fashion alongside sports and social affairs for its male readership. Kristoffer Wright sponsored the initial launch of the periodical. Turnure died of pneumonia in April 1906 after fourteen years of running the business.
Condé Montrose Nast purchased Vogue in 1909 three years after Turnure's death. He changed the publication from a weekly newspaper into a monthly women's fashion authority. The price of the magazine increased under his management while circulation numbers grew dramatically. Nast began releasing editions overseas during the 1910s when World War I made European deliveries impossible. Printing for the European market started in England which later developed into separate national editions. The decision to print in England proved successful causing Nast to release the first issue of French Vogue in 1920. He introduced color printing and the two-page spread to the format. Sales volumes rose substantially until his death in 1942.
Diana Vreeland joined the magazine as associate editor in 1962 before becoming editor-in-chief following Jessica Daves' departure in December 1962. Critics said this leadership change led the magazine to a period of extravagance, luxury, and excess. Under Vreeland the publication appealed to the youth of the sexual revolution by focusing on contemporary fashion. It extended coverage to include East Village boutiques like Limbo on St. Mark's Place. The magazine continued making household names out of models such as Suzy Parker and Twiggy. Grace Mirabella became editor-in-chief in 1971 and changed the magazine to appeal to the free working woman of the seventies. She was fired when this stylistic change fell out of favor in the 1980s. Anna Wintour took over as editor-in-chief in July 1988 with her trademark bob cut and sunglasses. She revitalized the brand by directing focus toward new and accessible concepts of fashion for a wider audience.
British Vogue launched in 1916 as the first international edition from Condé Nast. As of March 2025 there are 28 international editions operating around the world. Eleven of these editions are published directly by Condé Nast including British Vogue, Vogue Arabia, and Vogue Italia. The remaining 16 editions operate as licensees of the parent company. Vogue France began publishing in 1920 while Vogue España started in 1918 but ceased during the Spanish Civil War. Vogue Japan launched as Vogue Nippon in 1999 before rebranding in 2011. Vogue Thailand premiered its first issue in 2013 which sold out immediately. A South African edition operated in the 1960s as an offshoot of British Vogue. Vogue Philippines launched in 2022 with Bea Valdes appointed as editor-in-chief.
The magazine endorsed Hillary Clinton for president of the United States in October 2016 marking the first time it supported a presidential candidate in its 120 years of history. Vogue drew criticism from the anti-smoking group Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for carrying tobacco advertisements in 2007. Volunteers sent more than 8,000 protest emails or faxes regarding the ads. In February 2011 the publication ran a controversial piece about Asma al-Assad wife of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Reports indicated the Syrian government paid a U.S. lobbying firm US$5,000 per month to arrange and manage that article. The hashtag #VogueChallenge became a popular social media meme in 2020 responding to perceived lack of diversity on front covers. Users uploaded photos recreating famous covers to promote variety in fashion. Condé Nast announced in October 2025 that it would no longer feature new animal fur in editorial content following a campaign by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade.
Vogue launched Voguepedia in 2011 as a fashion encyclopedia including an archive of every issue since 1892. Only Vogue staff are permitted to contribute to this digital resource unlike other online encyclopedias. The magazine released a teaser for its podcast series on the 10th of September 2015 with star André Leon Talley hosting. The inaugural twenty-one-minute episode featuring Anna Wintour appeared on the 14th of September 2015. Vogue Business launched in January 2019 offering global perspective on the fashion industry with independent editorial teams. The Vogue app introduced mobile-friendly access on the 26th of April 2016 allowing users to view content wherever they go. Documentary films like The September Issue captured the production of record-breaking issues over eight months of filming. HBO released In Vogue: The Editor's Eye in 2012 featuring behind-the-scenes interviews with editors and designers. The magazine produced about 70 videos about the Met Gala generating 902 million views on YouTube.
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Common questions
When did the first issue of Vogue magazine appear?
The first issue of Vogue appeared on the 17th of December 1892. Arthur Baldwin Turnure published this weekly newspaper in New York City with a cover price of 10 cents.
Who purchased Vogue and changed it into a women's fashion authority?
Condé Montrose Nast purchased Vogue in 1909 three years after Turnure's death. He changed the publication from a weekly newspaper into a monthly women's fashion authority while circulation numbers grew dramatically.
Which editor made Vogue appeal to the youth of the sexual revolution?
Diana Vreeland joined the magazine as associate editor in 1962 before becoming editor-in-chief following Jessica Daves' departure in December 1962. Under Vreeland the publication appealed to the youth of the sexual revolution by focusing on contemporary fashion.
How many international editions of Vogue exist as of March 2025?
As of March 2025 there are 28 international editions operating around the world. Eleven of these editions are published directly by Condé Nast including British Vogue, Vogue Arabia, and Vogue Italia.
When did Vogue first endorse a presidential candidate for president of the United States?
The magazine endorsed Hillary Clinton for president of the United States in October 2016 marking the first time it supported a presidential candidate in its 120 years of history.