A Bold Move for Vogue: Anna Wintour’s December Issue

It was late spring, and Anna Wintour, the renowned and often formidable editor of Vogue, found herself in an unusual predicament. Such moments of uncertainty are rare for her, but the impending presidential election had thrown her into a creative quandary regarding the magazine’s December issue. She faced a challenge: crafting a publication in one reality while preparing to unveil it in another. How could she navigate these emotional waters?

“I thought, It’s going to be a very emotional time,” she reflected. “I believe we should all take a step back and reassess our approach.” In her contemplation, Wintour recalled the guest-edited issues of Vogues past, such as those of French Vogue and British Vogue. She had always been particularly fascinated by the issue of French Vogue created by the artist David Hockney in 1985, which featured a stunning cover portrait of the British designer Celia Birtwell. Inspired by this, she decided to take an unprecedented step: she would hand over the reins of Vogue to someone else for a single issue.

The designer Marc Jacobs was chosen to step into her metaphorical Manolos for this special edition. The outcome is set to debut online this week and will grace newsstands on November 26. This issue promises a spikier tone than the traditional Vogue, showcasing contributions from individuals who have never before graced the magazine’s pages. Notable names include playwright Jeremy O. Harris, who poignantly explored the discomfort of wearing a corset, and artist Gregory Crewdson, who captured haunting photographs of Jacobs in his Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, enveloped in an atmosphere reminiscent of Hitchcock’s cinematic gloom.

Here’s how this remarkable collaboration unfolded—complete with lively debates, valuable lessons, and moments of laughter. The conversation that follows has been thoughtfully edited and condensed.

ANNA WINTOUR I invited Marc to join me for lunch to discuss this decision. We typically meet at Balthazar, and our lunches are usually brisk, filled with rapid-fire exchanges.