Chloe Malle, at 39, has stepped into one of the most coveted—and scrutinized—roles in American fashion media: head of editorial content at Vogue. Her appointment, announced on September 2, 2025, marks a pivotal shift for the legendary magazine, which has been shaped by the indomitable Anna Wintour for nearly four decades. As Wintour transitions out of her position as editor-in-chief, she’s not going far; she’ll remain as Condé Nast’s global chief content officer and Vogue’s global editorial director, still keeping a watchful eye and, as Malle herself notes, staying just “down the hall.”
Malle’s ascent comes with a unique blend of anticipation and skepticism, not least because of her famous lineage. The daughter of Hollywood actress Candice Bergen—best known for her iconic role in Murphy Brown—and celebrated French filmmaker Louis Malle, Chloe Malle is no stranger to the spotlight. She’s been candid about the privileges and challenges that come with her background, telling The New York Times, “There is no question that I have 100 percent benefited from the privilege I grew up in. It’s delusional to say otherwise. I will say, though, that it has always made me work much harder. It has been a goal for much of my life to prove that I’m more than Candice Bergen’s daughter, or someone who grew up in Beverly Hills.”
Her self-awareness is striking in an industry often accused of gatekeeping and nepotism. In fact, Malle has embraced the label “proud nepo baby,” acknowledging the doors her family opened but insisting that it’s also made her career “more difficult” by raising the bar for what she must prove. “Despite my influential Hollywood connections, my status has made my career more difficult and motivated me to work harder,” she told Vogue in a recent interview, as reported by South China Morning Post.
Her parents’ achievements are nothing to sneeze at. Candice Bergen, with five Emmy awards and two Golden Globes for Murphy Brown, is a television legend. Bergen’s career also includes an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress in 1979 for Starting Over and a BAFTA for her role in Gandhi in 1982. Louis Malle, meanwhile, is revered in cinema, having won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, a BAFTA for best director for Atlantic City in 1981, and the Palme d’Or at Cannes as well as an Oscar for best documentary for Le Monde du silence in 1956. The creative pedigree is undeniable.
Malle’s own journey at Vogue began in 2011 as a social editor. Over the years, she has worn many hats: podcast host, editor of Vogue.com in 2023, and co-host of the magazine’s podcast, The Run-Through. Her résumé is a testament to her versatility and willingness to adapt—a valuable trait as the magazine faces a rapidly changing media landscape.
“I’ve spent my career at Vogue, working in roles across every platform—from print to digital, audio to video, events and social media,” Malle told The Daily Beast. “Vogue has already shaped who I am; now I’m excited at the prospect of shaping Vogue.”
Her vision for Vogue is refreshingly modern. Malle aims to cultivate a “more direct, smaller, healthier audience” by providing “original, witty, irreverent, joyful points of view on things.” She’s not interested in chasing clicks for their own sake; instead, she wants content that resonates deeply with readers, even if that means narrowing the focus. “You want something to be a moment, and that was a huge moment for us. And we had that, and we owned it,” she said, reflecting on a risky digital cover story featuring Lauren Sánchez Bezos, which resulted in death threats but also significant buzz. It’s a reminder that, in today’s media world, calculated risks often define a brand’s cultural relevance.
Of course, the shadow of Anna Wintour looms large. Wintour’s 37-year tenure has made her synonymous with Vogue, and her continued presence as global editorial director means Malle will have both a mentor and a supervisor nearby—a dynamic Malle welcomes. “I am so excited to continue working with [Malle], as her mentor but also as her student, while she leads us and our audiences where we’ve never been before,” Wintour said in a statement, according to The Daily Beast. Malle echoed this sentiment, saying she is “very happy” with the arrangement and with having Wintour still “down the hall.”
Not everyone would be comfortable stepping into such a high-profile role with their predecessor still so close at hand, but Malle seems undaunted. “I know that some people who were interested in this job were sort of daunted by the idea of Anna being down the hall,” she told The Independent. For Malle, the opportunity to work alongside Wintour is a benefit, not a burden.
Her appointment comes just ahead of New York Fashion Week, which runs from September 11 through September 16, 2025. It’s a trial by fire, as the event is one of the industry’s biggest stages. Malle is reportedly starting her new position before the week kicks off, ensuring she’ll be at the helm for the magazine’s coverage of the spectacle.
Yet, even as she settles into her new office, some questions remain. When asked whether she would feature First Lady Melania Trump on the cover of Vogue—a topic that’s stirred controversy, especially after Vanity Fair’s new editor Mark Guiducci expressed interest in doing so—Malle declined to answer. According to The Daily Mail, this suggestion has already ruffled feathers within Condé Nast, with at least one editor threatening to “walk out” if it ever came to fruition. Malle’s silence on the matter suggests she’s aware of the sensitivities and political minefields that come with the job.
As for her approach to editorial risk, Malle is clear-eyed. She believes there’s “an element of endorsement with a Vogue cover,” and that calculated risks are sometimes necessary to keep the publication relevant and exciting. Her willingness to take bold steps—tempered by a sense of responsibility—may be exactly what Vogue needs as it enters a new era.
With a deep understanding of the magazine’s legacy, a decade-plus of hands-on experience, and a candid perspective on her own privilege, Chloe Malle is poised to steer Vogue through its next chapter. Whether she can balance tradition with innovation—and meet the expectations that come with her surname—remains to be seen. But if her track record and attitude are any indication, she’s ready to give it her all.
