Glossy magazines bully women into buying things they don’t need, says ex-Vogue chief
SHE produced some of the fashion industry’s most influential shoots during her time at British Vogue.
But former fashion director Lucinda Chambers has accused the magazine of ‘bullying’ readers into making unnecessary purchases.
In her first interview since leaving the fashion bible last month, Miss Chambers suggested that the fashion industry was ‘cajoling’ people into buying costly designer items they simply do not need.
She said fashion magazines had stopped being ‘useful’ to readers and instead left many ‘anxiety-ridden’ over what to wear.
And in a shocking admission, the 57year-old – who worked at the publication for 36 years – said she ‘hadn’t read Vogue in years’.
In an interview for online fashion journal Vestoj, Miss Chambers said fashion magazines had stopped being ‘useful’ to readers and instead left many ‘anxietyridden’ over what to wear. ‘The clothes are just irrelevant for most people – so ridiculously expensive,’ she said.
‘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.’ She added: ‘It’s a shame that magazines have lost the authority they once had. They’ve stopped being useful.
‘Truth be told, I haven’t read Vogue in years.’ Miss Chambers’ career at Vogue started when a piece of jewellery she had made appeared on its glossy pages. She was appointed fashion director in 1992, which saw her dictate many of the magazine’s fashion editorials, including deciding on the clothing, models and photographers used.
One of her best-known shoots is that featuring the Duchess of Cambridge, who appeared on Vogue’s June 2016 centenary cover
The announcement of her departure coincided with long-term editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman leaving the title.
In the controversial interview – which has since been removed from the Vestoj website – she claimed she was ‘fired’ by the new editor, Edward Enninful.
‘A month and a half ago I was fired from Vogue. It took them three minutes to do it,’ she said.
‘No one in the building knew it was going to happen. The management and the editor I’ve worked with for 25 years had no idea. Nor did HR.’ Vogue was approached for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
‘ I haven’t read Vogue in years’