The concept of staging an iteration of Vogue World in Los Angeles was born in 2023 amid a significant writer’s strike that affected the entertainment industry. This idea gained additional purpose after the devastating wildfires in January, which spurred Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her team to act, culminating in an event that raised an impressive $4.5 million for the Entertainment Community Fund. These funds are intended to support costume designers in the Los Angeles area who were impacted by the disasters, providing much-needed assistance to those who lost their homes.
While the event’s philanthropic aspect is commendable, it also served to highlight the lavish nature of fashion. The event is anticipated to generate over $30 million, raising questions about the true motivation behind the spectacle, with charity appearing more as a convenient excuse than the primary focus.
Wintour’s presence at the event allowed for a moment of celebration, especially following her recent decision to step down as the editor of Vogue and appoint Chloe Malle as the magazine’s head of editorial content. This transition sparked various speculations about Wintour’s retirement plans. However, during the event, she made it clear that stepping down was never her intention, asserting, “I don’t know where that came from.”
Through Malle’s promotion, Wintour seems to be positioning herself not for an exit, but for a new chapter as Vogue continues its evolution from a traditional magazine to a diverse content-driven business, largely fueled by large-scale events. As Vogue embraces this transformation, it remains a central player in the fashion world, showcasing not just clothing, but also the resilience of the entertainment community in the face of hardship.