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Vogue has always been fashion oriented. Few magazines have had such an impact on American fashions, especially after te purchase of the magazine by Conde Nast in 1909. He heloped direct the magazine to be the leading periodical addressing high society fashion in America. The focus has always been on women's fashions. By the 1930s, however, Vogue was giving considerable attention to children's fashions. Attention to children's fashions appears to have declined since the 1970s, perhaps the impact of the Women's Movement. Fewer women are now so concerned with children's fashions as was the case of stay-at-home moms.

Contents

Vogue along with Harper's Bazar were the important American publications for women intertested in French haute couture--high sopciety fashion. Vogue for many years payed sant attention to American fashion and domestic designers. It was only in February 1938 that Vogue first devoted an entire issue to domestic American fashion. Vogue did, however, included ads for up-scale American dressmakers such as Thurn, Jessie Franklin Turner, and Hattie Carnegie. There were also retailer's and manufacturer's ads for ready-to-wear clothes.

Founding

Vogue was founded in 1892 as a biweekly magazine covering society and fashion. It was devoted from the onset to target the higher end of the American social scale.

Foreign Editions

There were also French and British editions of Vogue. Each had their own editorial staffs and relied on local advertising revenue. Here Vogue fiffered from Harper's Bazar which devoted considerable attention to American designers fairly early on.

Conde Nast

Conde Montrose Nast was a major force in American publishing. He was the first person to own a magazine chain. His short performance at Collier's Weekly was legendary. His purchase of Vogue in 1909 made him a major force in high society fashion and in fashionable home sewing patterns. Vogie was a minor magazine when he purchased it. Nast's business genius it a major force in the fashion industry. Through Vogue and his other publications, Nast had a major impact on magazine layout. He was the first with colored pages, the double-page spread, and the special number. major marketing inovation was to divide the United States into marketing areas. This proved advantageous because Nast realized that some products needed to be promoted on a regional basis. Nast's strategy was extremely inovative. Rather aiming at a vast national circultion, he sought to publish "class publications". Nast targeted specific groups offering exciting, timely information on arts, politics, and entertainment. Nast was the first major U.S. publisher to focus on common or special interest magazines. Today this is the major thrust of U.S. magazines. There are magazines on topics as diverse as wines, dance, soldiers of fortune, fishing, skateboarding, and a long list of other interests.

Vogue Patterns

Vogue is another fashion magazine which offered patterns. Vogue began offering patterns in 1905. At first, however, they were not size graded. Conde Nast purchased Vogue in 1909, determined to make it the leading American high-society fahion magazine. One of the changes promoted by Nast was to expand Vogue's pattern business. Vogue patterns became a major feature of the magazine. The patterns were primarily for women's fashions.

Butterick

Butterick purchased the pattern business in 1961, but retained its seperate identity. Butterick's association with Vogue after World War II helped to give the Butterick patterns a fashion cachet--especially their womens fashions.Butterrick took a major step in 1961. They licensed the name and trademark "Vogue Patterns" from Conde Nast Publications, Inc. and purchased their pattern division. Butterick did not, however, merge the two oprtation. They maintained separate merchandisers, designers, artists and editors. The two brands continue to be distinct and the products still exhibit their different identity.

Modern Issues

Women's style and fashion continues to dominate Vogue. A typical edition contains articles such as:

FASHION--"Style Fax: Neck to Toe" by André Leon Talley Talking Fashion

VOGUE'S VIEW--Tour Dufour : illes Dufour recently nabbed the top spot at Balmain. Now he's rocking the house. Vicki Woods reports Fashion Fortitude What's the secret behind a 50-year reign? Robert Sullivan checks out Ellen Tracy's style and stamina. Plus, Tracing a trend: The shining Haute Stuff . . . Special in-store fashion and beauty events with Vogue Dior's New Diva She's been making her own jewelry since age four, but now Victoire de Castellane is doing diamonds — and more — for Dior. Katherine Betts reports Boo Who? Stocked with orange New Balance sneakers and puffy North Face parkas, a new online store brings global sports style to your desktop. Amely Greeven logs on. Also, Passage to India Fashion Fiction By Plum Sykes The Vogue File POINT OF VIEW All the Raj Vogue celebrates fashion's return to opulence with a fantastic voyage to India. In our traveling bags? Embellished, embroidered, bohemian pieces — all in brilliant color Short Circuit The cool, modern way to show a bit of leg: maximum-impact shorts, from knee-grazing to hip-high Portraits of a Lady On the eve of Eyes Wide Shut, John Powers asks: What is it really like to be Nicole Kidman? The actress, wearing the year's most opulent dresses, was photographed in the tradition of John Singer Sargent Eye Candy Everyone wants a taste of the new accessories — all gumdrop colors and rainbow stripes Vogue's Index In This Issue Vogue's Last Look HEALTH & BEAUTY Hollywood Headliner The movie industry's favorite hometown hairstylist adds "salon innovator" to her credits. Plus, Party lines Getting In It can be nearly impossible to book an appointment at the hippest salons in New York and L.A. But even in the land of the superstylist, a few elite pros make time for new clients Guest Editor Cool-girl actress Chloëe Sevigny share her tips for looking great both on the set and on the town Dreading It By Veronica Chambers . . . or how I learned to stop fighting my hair and love my nappy roots. Sinless Sun Want some color — but can do without the skin damage? Head to the beauty salon. Daisy Garnett gets fake-tanned Sole Revival Whether you're wearing a million-dollar shoe or going barefoot in the park, it's always important to put your best foot forward. Plum Sykes reports FEATURES Masthead Editor's Letter Contributors Talking Back Letters from readers Up Front Remembering Liz Tilberis, by Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington Portraits of a Lady On the eve of Eyes Wide Shut, John Powers asks: What is it really like to be Nicole Kidman? Witnesses to War By Carlotta Gall and Carla Power Their experiences have been different, but the horrors they've seen are tragically similar. Two journalists covering Kosovo tell of a world under fire. King of Swing Thanks to Australian Patrick Rafter, tennis is sexy again. Rebecca Johnson meets the hotshot from Down Under Putting Down Roots In reviving an abandoned town house in Provence, florist Christian Tortu also created a whole new village life, finds Hamish Bowles About Face It may be old-fashioned, but people still want their portraits painted. Rebecca Johnson searches for the perfect likeness The Friel Thing Lond's hot new export is the toast of Broadway. Plum Sykes visits Anna Friel Horoscope By Athena Starwoman PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT This Month Jeremy Northam graduates from Hamlet to Hollywood . . . Clarice Cliff's precious objects . . . game, set, new tennis rackets . . . Movies Run Lola Run dazzles, and so does Juliette Binoche, in The Lovers on the Bridge. John Powers reviews Food With so many restaurants forgoing reservations, Jeffrey Steingarten finds, it's often the customers who are the waiters Books Mary Cantwell celebrates the short story; plus, two auspicious debuts.

These fashionable articles never in the 1990s address childrens clothes, nor do children normally appear in the magazine. The social sections sometimes show the children of the rich and famous--but almost always in long baggy pants.

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Created: October 29, 2002
Last updated: October 29, 2002