In today’s episode of The Run Through, Chloe Malle sat down with her longtime friend and former Vogue colleague, Mark Guiducci, who is now the global editorial director of Vanity Fair. They spoke just days before the release of his September issue, which features Marc Jacobs on the cover.
“I think in some ways, Marc is the greatest American fashion designer,” Guiducci said. “And if Marc Jacobs has nine lives, he’s probably on his seventh.”
The cover story, written by José Criales-Unzueta, looks at a turning point for Jacobs, whose brand was sold by LVMH to WHP Global and G-III Apparel Group this year. “This new chapter in Marc’s career isn’t about going public or opening countless stores worldwide… but Marc defines success on his own terms,” Guiducci explained.
This marks Guiducci’s first September issue as head of Vanity Fair. The issue also includes a comprehensive best-dressed list, a feature on Les Lalanne, and a look at the growing trend of gossipy fashion newsletters. During their conversation, Malle and Guiducci also touched on the magazine’s recent investigation into Alex Cooper’s Unwell network, the Olivia Nuzzi controversy, dealing with public opinion, and the current state of celebrity cover stories.
Of course, no reunion would be complete without reminiscing about their days at Vogue. Sitting in a podcast studio no bigger than the office they shared nearly 15 years ago, they laughed about wellness routines and late-night dinner plans.
Also on the podcast, Vogue’s senior lifestyle and weddings editor, Liam Hess, talked about how the week’s biggest wedding stories—featuring Jordyn Woods, Tallulah Willis, and Cris y Gio—came together. Plus, we wrap up our Dogue days of summer with the final covers!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the podcast episode featuring Mark Guiducci
General Background
Q Who is Mark Guiducci
A He is the Creative Editorial Director at Vanity Fair In this episode he talks about his role and how hes putting his own stamp on the magazines visual and editorial direction
Q What does a Creative Editorial Director actually do
A Its a hybrid role He bridges the gap between the art department and the editorial department He helps decide how stories are visually presented from photo shoots to layouts to make sure the magazine feels cohesive and exciting
Q Is this episode only for people in the magazine industry
A No While its great for journalists and designers the conversation is also about creativity leadership and adapting a legacy brand to the modern digital age which is interesting for anyone in business or media
Career Craft
Q How is Mark making his mark at Vanity Fair
A He is focusing on making the magazine feel more immediate and culturally relevant Hes experimenting with new visual styles collaborating closely with photographers and writers and finding ways to make the print product feel collectible and special in a digital world
Q What are some of the biggest challenges he faces working on a famous magazine
A The biggest challenge is balancing tradition with innovation Vanity Fair has a very established glamorous identity Mark has to honor that history while ensuring the content doesnt feel outdated or predictable to younger audiences
Q What practical advice does he give for people wanting to work in magazines
A He emphasizes the importance of being a good collaborator and having a strong point of view He suggests that being curious about the world beyond just fashion or politics makes you a better editor because you can connect unexpected dots
Q How does he see the future of print magazines
A He views print as a luxury object rather than a daily news source He believes magazines will survive by offering a curated beautiful and thoughtful experience that you cant get from scrolling on a phone
Behind the Scenes
Q What is the relationship like between the editors and the photographers