Anna Wintour’s Successor Sparks Vogue Staff Backlash

For nearly four decades, Anna Wintour has been the face of Vogue, shaping not only the magazine but also the global fashion world.

Now, her decision to step aside as editor-in-chief is shaking up the empire she built, with staffers reportedly already clashing over her choice of successor.

The legendary editor, Chloe Malle, the daughter of late film director Louis Malle, and actress Candice Bergen, has been named the new head of editorial content at Vogue, a move that, although expected, has sparked heated debate within the fashion powerhouse.

At 75, Anna Wintour is stepping back from her long-standing role as Vogue’s editorial chief, a position she has dominated since 1988.

On Tuesday, she confirmed Chloe as her successor, sparking both excitement and unease within.

Chloe, who has been running Vogue.com, now becomes head of editorial content for one of the most influential publications in fashion.

Wintour praised her choice, saying Vogue must remain “both the standard-bearer and the boundary-pushing leader” and calling the 39-year-old the perfect person to strike that balance.

She added that she looks forward to continuing as Chloe’s mentor, “but also as her student.”

Chloe, meanwhile, admitted she feels “thrilled – and awed – to be part of this moment” while acknowledging how lucky she is to have Wintour nearby as a guide.

However, not everyone inside Vogue is celebrating.

While Anna Wintour’s decision didn’t come as a complete surprise, the reaction behind the scenes is far from unanimous.

“There’s nothing wrong with Chloe. She’s competent and will do a good job,” one staffer admitted to the Daily Mail, before adding that discontent is still brewing.

The source then described Chloe as a “nepo baby” who, through no fault of her own, had advantages others never could.

Another insider described the feeling among staff as discouraging.

“It gives everyone else the sense of, ‘Why bother?’ No matter how good you are, you’ll never be part of a famous family. The job will always go to someone with influence,” they said.

One employee didn’t mince words, saying, “She was born on third base, so let’s not pretend she hit a triple.”

Despite the criticism, Chloe does bring years of experience.

A graduate of Brown University, she joined Vogue in 2011 and steadily climbed the ranks.

In 2023, she was named an editor and co-host of “The Run-Through with Vogue” podcast. She has interviewed major figures and built a reputation for being sharp, polished, and respected in the newsroom.

Some employees say her character and work ethic should not be overlooked. One staffer described her as “nice, very smart, very businesslike, but also kind,” adding that she will likely keep Vogue’s prestige intact.

Still, Chloe wasn’t the only option for the top job. Other contenders included Sara Moonves, the editor of W Magazine, Stella Bugbee of The New York Times, and Nicole Phelps, who oversees Vogue Business and Vogue Runway.

“That’s just the thing,” one insider said. “They’d all have been good, but maybe their moms didn’t win a bunch of Emmy Awards.”

Unlike many who shy away from the label, Anna Wintour’s successor is upfront about her privilege.

Speaking to the New York Times this week, she called herself a “proud nepo baby” and admitted she has “100 percent benefited” from her upbringing.

She said it would be “delusional” to claim otherwise, but insisted the label pushed her to work harder.