Chic at 60ish!

“Head of editorial content for US Vogue”— Chloe Malle has my dream job! When I was 21 years old, I graduated from Boston University with a degree in journalism & moved to New York to become the editor of Vogue. Of course, Vogue had an editor—Grace Mirabella at the time, Anna Wintour’s predecessor—but I was lucky enough to get an interview with Polly Allen Mellon, its legendary fashion director. Nice as she could be, Mrs. Mellon explained that Vogue never hires straight out of college, I had to get experience on a less prestigious publication & come back in three years. So I went to work for Future, a new magazine that was supposed to compete with Seventeen. A great job for three weeks—then it ran short of funds & closed. As magazines do.

NYC GIRL! Me, at 21 years old, hoping to work for Vogue–a girl can dream!

I landed in publicity & fundraising, not really working as journalist until I became the fashion columnist at Main Line Life many years later. Technology had changed the publishing business somewhat—but nothing like the seismic changes erupted by social media & influencers today.

THEN & NOW: Meryl Streep as empirical editor “Amanda Priestly,” explaining the fashion chain to her assistant, Anne Hathaway/”Andy Sachs”—social media & influencers have made that top-down chain outdated; Chloe Malle, Vogue’s new head of editorial content, who will steer the iconic magazine into the next generation

That’s where Chloe Malle comes in! Following the iconic Anna Wintour, Vogue has a new editor—or “head of editorial content”—for the first time in 37 years. A new title for a new era in fashion, 39-year-old Malle is said to be the perfect choice. Starting at Vogue as head of social media & vogue.com, she brings tech savvy as well as a youthful point of view. The days of “The Devil Wears Prada’s” Miranda Priestly telling the world to wear “cerulean blue” are gone. Malle says she will be more of a curator than a dictator.

NOSTALGIA CHIC, CLASSIC & MODERN AT ONCE: Fall fashion’s poster girl, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy at a black tie event with JFK Jr in the 90’s; a similar look from Michael Kors’ latest collection at michaelkors.com; Arielle jacket & Alana sheath dress at l’agence.com

For fashionistas like me, that’s huge! As we embrace a season of “nostalgia fashion” & “personality fashion,” where anything goes—some of us miss the “must-haves,” the “it color” or “it bag.” The flipside of that coin is “empowerment.” Wear what you love, what makes you feel good. At 60ish, not a bad mantra!

ARMANI ALWAYS: Giorgio Armani, who built a fashion empire—his clothes are forever empowering, sensual & timeless, all from armani.com

Just as the Chloe Malle news was breaking, we learned Giorgio Armani—another fashion icon—had passed away. Talk about empowering women! No designer did more to change the way women dressed as they entered the work force—making pant & skirt suits that were both sexy & wearable.

Also known as “Mr. Hollywood,” Armani was one of the first to dress celebrities on the red carpet, literally changing the shape of both CEO’s & movie stars at the same time. With silhouettes that were equally soft & structured, his clothes projected both femininity & authority. What could be more modern that that?

MR. HOLLYWOOD: Armani was the first designer to promote his collection through movies & celebs—Richard Gere & Lauren Hutton in “American Gigolo;” Diane Keaton & Julia Roberts at the Golden Globes

ELEGANCE WITH EDGE: Kaia Gerber at the Venice Film Festival last summer

With 20 new designers in major fashion houses this fall—yes 20!—it’s like musical chairs. Hard to keep up. If Vogue & top-name designers are no longer “the only game in town,” can Chloe Malle decide what to pitch? Will women listen? A new era dawns & fashionistas around the globe must embrace it—welcome to personal, powerful, fierce fashion! Wishing a Happy, Healthy, Sweet New Year to all who celebrate~ Ellyn Golder Saft

ps. Looking for a new TV binge? Fashionistas will love “The Girlfriend” on Amazon—the ending is a bit dark, but Robin Wright is surely as beautiful as ever & her wardrobe is gorgeous!