Once upon a time when Edna Woolman Chase was Editor in Chief...
Chase started in the Vogue mail room and with her zest for the magazine-quickly advanced." When magazine was in danger of closing, and Chase took it upon herself to make sure Vogue was kept alive. Chase went on the road to persuade people to keep reading the magazine." (wiki) **Conde Nast bought the magazine 1909 and made Chase editor in chief in 1914.
The results:
In today's youth obsessed, starlet world, Would they dare put a woman like this on the cover? A gorgeous woman of indeterminable age, silver hair, with a classical Beaton background. Carmen Dell' Orefice would do nicely.
image from HighValleyBooks (here)
Suggested reading, Chase's book Always in Vogue (1954)
** would Anna Wintour dare?
Nice! L.A. Great question. Great post!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. too True.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. It probably wouldn't sell today though - not Vogue anyway. From age 16 I subscribed to American Vogue and then switched to French Vogue on coming to France. I've always wished for more originality on the covers of both. And illustrations not photos all the time! (My love affair with Vogue ended around 7 years ago - too much porn chic with ed. Carine Roitfeld !)
ReplyDeleteI think they should have a go at it. I have to say - when I see the covers alot of the women just all look the same to me and its Boring.
ReplyDelete*If "old ladies with grey hair" doesn't work - I strongly suggest - Cute Dogs!!! I have two Supermodels at home they could start with! LOL
Little, It would seem to me they have nothing to loose. I am certain their readers if pursuing youth, they can only buy the magazine, seldom the clothing featured. The change would be refreshing, I think issues would fly off the shelves. The lady suggested would be stunning not to mention the setting. All of it is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish Anna would take up this challenge. The same Vogue faces over and over again are such a bore. Carmen would be just so delicious, wouldn't she??
ReplyDeletethat's actually a genius idea!
ReplyDeleteputting carmen on the cover now is the kind of renegade notion vogue needs asap and the kind of act of defiance that a true fashionista would LOVE!
Probably not but it would be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe 1948 Beaton model looked matronly. Carmen del Orrifice, though older than that model, did not, ever, look matronly. She's one of a kind. And I'm all for seeing her on Vogue's cover!
ReplyDeleteGlad you all agree. What is so amazing about Carmen is she is spectacular now and when a model- she to me seemed another pretty face. You know Madoff took off with her $$-which in of itself would be a great tie in for a publication.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you buy it?
I did wonder about the 1948 model's age- I bet not that old either- TW (maybe 55-60) She reminds me so much of my grandmother.
Thanks for all the comments.
In complete agreement with Mr Pincus. Why wouldn't they? Certainly a magazine like Harper's Bazaar would have nothing to loose. I can not stand the starlet that do not "grace" the covers.
ReplyDeleteHi LA. My brain is sometimes like an old computer...chug...chug..chug. Finally connected YOUR Carmen to the beauty on the Couture Millinery blog. I posted about Anya's hats a couple days ago...but if you dig back to Aug. 8 in her blog you'll see more photos of Carmen with bio. Sad footnote..she lost her life savings by investing with Madoff. I'd love to see her on the cover.What a beauty. Trish
ReplyDeleteShould they: Yes. Will they: No. Not in their current state of mind where the "Age issue" is really nothing but ways to remain artificially be youthful. They don't get it... yet.
ReplyDeleteBlushing- You are so right about that age issue, size issue too-who are they fooling. g
ReplyDeleteInteresting!!! I didn't know that!
ReplyDeletethesingular.blogspot.com
Vogue (American Vogue), needs an UPDATE! The covers are becoming so stale. Carmen Dell'Orefice, would add spark. Come on Anna, get with the program. The September issue of French Vogue, has a few pages of Carmen in it. Ms. Carmen, looks FANTASTIC!
ReplyDeletelauren4marie2,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, The Vogue-much touted Sept issue of C. Theron was so familiar it had absolutely NO appeal, She was on it last year 08? so similarly fotoed. There were many more interesting photographs IN the mag. At least they are consistent in their inane covers. The older V. covers were so interesting, I think they have digressed coverwise. Carmen is gorgeous- Better as she has aged.
Thanks for stopping in for a moment.G
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
ReplyDeletegee thanks Anon!, I think. I do think the consistency of daily blogging helps, but I think some of the 1st are really pretty good-even some of the better ones. Thought about even repeating a few. Hum?
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the compliment,Which of the new do you like best? Which of the old is a dud?
on my toes,GT