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In conversation with Vogue Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Shulman

Admin
Apr 28, 2017
4 min read

On Wednesday the 26th April, us student in Nottingham Trent University were absolutely privileged to spend the afternoon with Alexandra Shulman, the Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue. It was such an amazing opportunity considering British Vogue is very controversial, as they have recently just appointed Edward Enninful as the new Editor-in-Chief & will continue working from August onwards. Which means we have to say a great goodbye to Alexandra Shulman for serving us greatly for the past 25 years.

It was a great hour listening to a conversation between Ms. Shulman & one of the journalism tutors here at the University.

They talked about various topics & people, for example Ms. Shulman mentioned that "its complicated working with David Bailey" (Top fashion photographer) and that "he's not very collaborative."

She was also asked questions about Edward Enninfuls takeover, "Who he is & will he make a difference?"

Edward is a freelancer & has done a lot of work with W magazine, & many more publications. She then went on to mention the fact that she brings journalism about woman into the publication but she's not 100% sure whether Edward will do the same. She then went onto congratulate him & say it's amazing that he's the 1st male vogue editor, which is something quite amazing.

"Whats next for you then Alexandra?", the tutor continued to ask.

Alexandra replied with "More journalism, art institutions & maybe branch into a bit of consulting," I'm not really sure what kind of consulting she may have been talking about but oh my I would 100% book that right now.

The tutor then continued to ask, "Have any newspapers been in touch with you?"

Alexandra replied, "Well yes quite a few, I've worked with the Telegraph in the past" but then added that she couldn't imagine writing a weekly column.

The tutor then went on & asked about the Vogue documentary which featured on BBC at the end of summer 2016.

Alexandra outlined the fact that it was a great series for the magazine, opened it up to a whole new audience & it was a great experience for her & all the Vogue office staff. She said it was also great because it showed the office inside out, nothing was hidden it was their daily routine. However towards the end she added that it wasn't what she expected when she saw the finished & final product. She outlined the fact that BBC were in their offices filming from September-June so it was quite hard to see 9 months of work squished into an hour or two. What I found the most interesting about her comments on the documentary was the fact that, if she didn't like any bit of the documentary, for instance if she dint like how she looked in a certain part or if she said something nasty about somebody, she wasn't allowed to get rid of it. Everything was 100% real.

The questions were then passed over to us, students. The first few questions were from the journalism students & then were mixed in with a few of us fashionista also.

She was asked, if she was to start from scratch would she still do all the same.

She replied with saying "Journalism is as valuable as ever, I love journalism, such a privileged fantastic thing." And that she would never tell anyone not to pursue it.

"Alexandra, you work with many amazing people who's your Inspo & whats your style?"

She continued to say that she doesn't really have an inspiration, but she has a huge girl crush on Miuccia Prada. And that her own individual style is a strange combo. She described it as being schizophrenic. She described her style for this occasion as it was a complicated day. Early in the morning she had to pop into the office, then had to get the train to Nottingham & after speaking to us she was going back to London to a new opening party. So she explained that she picked an outfit which she could wear certain aspects of it to her different events on that day. And may I add that she looked amazing.

Another student continued to ask how realistic is the Devil Wears Prada , etc.

She replied in saying 'very fiction, and theres very few that resemble reality." The September Issue is very real, she added. But the majority of them are parodies & not very realistic at all.

Matt Gill from Raw Print, continued to ask what she thought about independent magazines.

"They astound me" she replied. In a way she doesn't really understand them because they have no revenue stream. She continued to say that she liked the freedom which commercial doesn't have.

Another student continued to ask, "What keeps you motivated?"

"I don't have one principal it depends on the day"

There were many more questions along the duration but unfortunately I was too busy listening & couldn't exactly write everything down.

The hour was such an amazing opportunity & was genuinely so inspiring. I will never forget the day I was in the same room as Alexandra Shulman. I even walked out of the lecture theatre right behind her, such an experience.

I would like to wish her all the best with the future & hopefully I will again get the opportunity to cross paths with her somewhere in my exciting future.

Much love,

G x