After 37 years as the face of American Vogue, Anna Wintour is officially preparing to pass the torch. She is not leaving Condé Nast entirely, but a new title, “head of editorial content,” is being created for her U.S. replacement. The person widely expected to take that seat is Chloe Malle.
Malle, now 39, joined Vogue back in 2011 and now runs Vogue. She is known for her strong sense of story, calm leadership style, and deep understanding of how fashion lives online. Her track record with digital growth is one of the reasons she is seen as a natural successor to Anna Wintour.
Vogue has grown under her leadership, with smart editorial choices and stronger celebrity coverage. Her recent interview with Lauren Sánchez, ahead of her wedding to Jeff Bezos, drew real buzz and attention.
However, Chloe Malle isn’t new to high society. Her mother is Candice Bergen, best known for playing Murphy Brown. Her father, Louis Malle, was a respected French film director. That family background puts her in rare air, and critics haven’t missed the “nepo baby” label.
Malle / IG / Sources close to the decision say Chloe Malle is in the “final rounds” of interviews. Her name keeps coming up in editor circles, and the shortlist has reportedly narrowed to just four or five people.
The final decision will come from Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch, with input from Anna Wintour.
The announcement is expected before New York Fashion Week begins on September 11. Vogue typically uses that week to set its editorial tone for the next year. If Malle is chosen, she will start under a microscope.
Malle Will Report Directly to Anna Wintour
Wintour isn’t leaving the building. She is just shifting her focus globally. She will still serve as Vogue’s worldwide editorial director and chief content officer at Condé Nast. That means whoever steps in at U.S. Vogue will still have her looking over their shoulder.
The new title, “head of editorial content”, reflects the magazine's shift toward more cross-platform strategy, digital storytelling, and live events. Malle's familiarity with Vogue’s evolution gives her a head start.
Lauren Sánchez's Vogue feature earlier this year had the fingerprints of Chloe Malle all over it. She interviewed Sánchez herself, giving the story a sharper, more curious tone than some of Vogue’s past cover treatments.
That interview helped reframe Sánchez’s public image, a sign that Malle knows how to make profiles feel newsy and character-driven.
Malle / IG / Malle isn’t the only one being considered. Nicole Phelps, who leads Vogue Runway globally, has deep experience covering fashion shows and high fashion.
Chloe Is a ‘Staff Favorite’ Inside the Office
People who work with her tend to like her. Chloe Malle has built a reputation as someone who listens, gives space for collaboration, and doesn’t play power games. That could matter more than people think in an industry that often rewards louder personalities.
Insiders say her relationships across Condé Nast are strong. She knows how to keep different teams working together, and she understands how the business side of the magazine functions. That kind of rapport may have helped push her to the top of the shortlist.
That said, Phelps is known more for fashion coverage than big-picture leadership. Her experience is valuable, but she may not have the same digital or celebrity reach as Malle. Still, it is not over until the final announcement.
Chioma Nnadi, now leading British Vogue editorial content, was once seen as a serious contender. So were Amy Astley at Architectural Digest and Eva Chen at Instagram. But personal schedules, family needs, or job satisfaction have reportedly taken them out of the mix.
Candice Bergen once played a Vogue editor on an episode of “Sex and the City.” That role was fictional, but the ties between her family and fashion weren’t. Chloe Malle has been attending shows, parties, and galas since she was young.