Hell hath no fury like a Fashion Editor scorned, it seems – at least when that Fashion Editor is unceremoniously dumped by Vogue magazine. Lucinda Chambers, formerly known as British Vogue‘s Fashion Director, has taken aim at the mag in an interview with academic journal Vestoj after it’s new Editor-in-Chief, Edward Enniful, had her “stepped down” from her role. Dramaaaaa.
She continues on to roast Vogue in general, claiming she hasn’t read the mag she worked for in ages.
“Truth be told, I haven’t read Vogue in years. Maybe I was too close to it after working there for so long, but I never felt I led a Vogue-y kind of life. The clothes are just irrelevant for most people — so ridiculously expensive.”
She revealed the shoots she hated, including one cover aligned directly to a big advertiser.
“Oh I know [my shoots] weren’t all good – some were crappy. The June cover with Alexa Chung in a stupid Michael Kors T-shirt is crap. He’s a big advertiser so I knew why I had to do it. I knew it was cheesy when I was doing it, and I did it anyway.”
She also spills the tea on a fashion hire that was purely based on image.
“I remember a long time ago, when I was on maternity leave, Vogue employed a new fashion editor. When I met with my editor after having had my baby, she told me about her. She said, ‘Oh Lucinda, I’ve employed someone and she looked fantastic. She was wearing a red velvet dress and a pair of Wellington boots to the interview.’ She went on, ‘She’s never done a shoot before. But she’s absolutely beautiful and so confident. I just fell in love with the way she looked.’ And I went, ‘Ok, ok. Let’s give her a go.’ She was a terrible stylist. Just terrible.”
British Vogue has since addressed Lucinda’s leaving with an Instagram post.
But possibly the most interesting elements in the interview were her opinions the fashion magazine industry in general.
“There are very few fashion magazines that make you feel empowered. Most leave you totally anxiety-ridden, for not having the right kind of dinner party, setting the table in the right kind of way or meeting the right kind of people.”
“In fashion we are always trying to make people buy something they don’t need. We don’t need any more bags, shirts or shoes. So we cajole, bully or encourage people into continue buying. I know glossy magazines are meant to be aspirational, but why not be both useful and aspirational? That’s the kind of fashion magazine I’d like to see.”
Image: Instagram / @britishvogue.
Source: Vestjo.
CORRECTION: The original version of this article included a quote from Lucinda Chambers claiming she was sacked ‘in three minutes’. Condé Nast has since contacted Pedestrian to clarify this statement. “Ms Chambers’ claims are wholly incorrect. The decision to terminate Ms Chambers’ employment was made with the full knowledge of all relevant people at Condé Nast.”
