Dear Vogue, We Need To Talk

As an avid subscriber of the fabulous fashion bible since the ripe age of 14, I have always considered the unwrapping of the latest issue of Vogue to be one of life’s simplest pleasures. From pining over Prada to drooling over Dior, I viewed this magazine masterpiece as my way into a world I so desperately wanted to enter; a world of creativity and excitement which had the undeniable power of sparking something inside of me that I have never been able to shake off. 

Vogue transported me to the front row of runway shows, swept me away to the world’s most captivating cities and placed me behind the photographer’s shoulder as they snapped away. Empowered, sophisticated and strong, the women in the magazine taught me what kind of future I wanted, and the woman I wanted to be. So as time went on, I continued to find myself waiting for the next month’s issue to arrive on my doorstep as stacks and stacks of glossy pages continued to dominate my bookshelf. 

But as recent times hit, the fervor faded. I was no longer waking up on Saturday mornings mooning over editorials. Instead, my mom would plop the latest issue on my desk and I would get to it when I got to it. No urgence. No motivation. This change did not come about because of a switch in personal preferences or life state.  I was the same girl. Although my body grew and brain became wiser, I still had an affinity for fashion and sought outlets to fuel this love. 

So what prompted this change? A lack of change. Boredom. I felt as if I was reading the same issue I had read just months before. In recent months, I found myself looking down onto the precious package I once deemed as perfect and muttering to myself “been there, seen that.” 

Shoots featuring Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift seemed like something I just scrolled past on Instagram just seconds before. Although I am no fashion expert (even if I do know my way around my local mall way too well), I am an avid reader who can recognize when the mag is in trouble. So what can Vogue do to correct this chaos? Innovate! 

Every cover of Vogue this year has been a major celebrity. Although the public loves to gossip about Ariana Grande’s love life or the epic feud between Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift, that is not what the Vogue readers want. We seek something that inspires us, empowers us and ultimately continues giving us that spark we found the first time we opened the magazine. We can easily find news about celebrity scandals and relationship buzz elsewhere.

It is Vogue where we flock to for creativity and inspiration. Where we commend others for taking risks and try to mimic their inventiveness. Other publications made up for what American Vogue lacked, as many magazines continue to evolve and keep us on our toes. 

Take British Vogue’s September issue, guest-edited by Meghan Markle herself. The issue, titled “Forces For Change,” showcases 15 wonderful women who have ambitions to make a difference in this world and change society. 

Or take Vogue Ukraine, whose issues celebrate fashion as art, as the photography is simply breathtaking. And the public takes notice of these accomplishments, as these issues issues were seen all over social media. 

Many people out there expressed their admiration for such incredible issues, commending the magazines for their good work. I hope to see the day when these same people are expressing their love for American Vogue’s latest issue again, and it can easily happen with just some innovation.

• change
• fashion
• style
• vogue