Vogue. That word alone covers 120 plus years of fashion, art and culture. The publication spans across more than 20 countries including Japan and Portugal. However, American Vogue holds a special place in this VALLEY writer’s heart. For December 2024, model Kaia Gerber posed in oversized Marc Jacobs pieces. The designer also guest-edited the magazine for the first time in the publication’s history. So, let’s unpack the historical significance of this phenomenal issue.
The Man, No Myth, The Legend
Marc Jacobs is a man of many talents. Specifically, most of them have something to do with fashion. In 1984, after graduating from Parsons School of Design, he created his brand. Starting in the 90s, he worked as the artistic director at Louis Vuitton for almost two decades.
The cultural impact Marc Jacobs has had on fashion over the past 40 years is indescribable. He created the Snapshot bag, Kiki boots, his astounding Spring 1993 Perry Ellis show and more. Whereas other designers stay in the box of what they know, Marc Jacobs takes risks. His collections, time and time again, surprise even his cult following.
This Time Round
The designer guest-edited the December 2024 issue. What does this mean? In summary, he made the normal editorial decisions that Anna Wintour would’ve made. *Gasp.* While this can seem surprising, guest editors have worked with both French and British Vogue.
Anna Wintour’s effect on fashion is even more indescribable than that of Marc Jacobs’. She became the editor-in-chief of American Vogue in 1988. For over 30 years, her opinion has changed so much about the fashion industry.
For example, her first issue featured model Michaela Bercu wearing a Christian Lacroix jacket worth thousands of dollars. Why does this matter? The jacket was paired with $50 Guess jeans. For a cover, this was the first time that a luxury piece was paired with an item from a “mall brand.” With that issue, she sent shockwaves throughout the industry.
A Lucky Pair
Together, the two are unstoppable. Their decades-long friendship and bond mutually benefit the both of them. Anna Wintour created the idea for Marc Jacobs to be a guest editor for the December issue. Marc Jacobs, in turn, created an iconic issue showing his Fall 2024 Ready-To-Wear collection.
Rumors have circulated online questioning whether this issue is a sign Anna Wintour will step down from her editor-in-chief role. In VALLEY’s humble opinion, this is nonsense. If she goes, Vogue goes. To speak blatantly, did these gossips not watch “The Devil Wears Prada”?
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