After nearly 40 years at the top of Vogue, Anna Wintour has officially chosen her successor. The legendary editor is handing the role of head of editorial content to Chloe Malle, a 39-year-old rising star with deep roots in media and fashion.
Malle, daughter of actress Candice Bergen and filmmaker Louis Malle, has already been a familiar presence at the brand. She currently oversees Vogue.com, where she has boosted her profile with high-profile interviews, including a widely covered conversation with Lauren Sánchez before her lavish Venetian wedding to Jeff Bezos.
According to Puck, Malle emerged as the clear frontrunner in the selection process, described as the “practical, reasonable, rational choice.” She has spent 14 years at Vogue, an experience that reportedly gave her an edge over other strong contenders.
During the final rounds of interviews, Malle was up against several notable figures, including W magazine editor Sara Moonves and Nicole Phelps, Global Director of Vogue Runway and Vogue Business. Sources told Page Six last month that Malle was a staff favorite and had reached the last stage of consideration.
Her famous family background is also seen as a factor in her appeal. Bergen, her mother, not only starred in Murphy Brown but once played a Vogue editor in Sex and the City. The connection underscores Malle’s blend of fashion credibility and cultural pedigree.
While Malle will take over daily editorial responsibilities, Wintour is not disappearing from the scene. She remains Global Chief Content Officer at Condé Nast and Global Editorial Director of Vogue, continuing her influence over the storied brand. Insiders note that Wintour wanted a successor willing to show independence and “push back,” but questions linger about how much freedom Malle will truly have while Wintour remains in the wings.
Malle’s appointment is expected to be announced before the start of New York Fashion Week on September 11. For Vogue, the timing signals a deliberate effort to present a smooth transition ahead of one of fashion’s most important annual events.
The change marks the end of an era while opening the door for new leadership. Wintour, who has shaped Vogue into a global powerhouse since the 1980s, is entrusting its editorial voice to someone seen as both capable and aligned with the magazine’s future vision.
For Malle, stepping into the role is both a culmination of years of work within the company and the beginning of a new chapter in one of the most influential jobs in fashion media.