On April 16, 2026, a seismic shift rippled through the global fashion and publishing industries as Condé Nast, the powerhouse behind some of the world’s most iconic magazines, announced a series of sweeping changes. Among the most significant was the closure of Self magazine, a beloved health and fitness publication that had been a staple for nearly half a century. The decision, delivered in a memo from Condé Nast’s chief executive Roger Lynch, also included the shuttering of Glamour’s international editions in Germany, Spain, and Mexico, as well as the end of Wired’s print magazine in Italy.
For many, the news marks the end of an era. Self, which had transitioned to an online-only format in 2017, will have its health and wellness content absorbed by other Condé Nast brands such as Allure and Glamour. As reported by The New York Times, Lynch explained in his memo that these closures, while representing just over 1 percent of the company’s overall revenue at the end of 2025, were necessary because the affected brands “remain unprofitable, and continuing to operate them in their current form limits our ability to invest in the ideas and areas that will drive future growth.”
The move to close these titles comes at a time when the publishing industry is grappling with rapid changes in how audiences consume content. With readers increasingly turning to social platforms and generative artificial intelligence upending traditional web traffic patterns, legacy media companies like Condé Nast are being forced to adapt or risk obsolescence. Lynch underscored this point in his memo, stating that the company’s overall business was profitable in 2025 and had ended the year with revenue growth. The restructuring, he said, is aimed at positioning “the company for continued growth.”
But the shakeup didn’t end with Self. Perhaps just as notable was the departure of Samantha Barry, Glamour’s editor-in-chief and a transformative figure at the publication. Barry, who hails from Ballincollig, Ireland, announced her exit after eight years at Glamour. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, “After eight phenomenal years at Glamour I’m stepping away. As the title’s business model evolved, I made clear to Anna and leadership at Condé that this was the right moment to leave and pursue new projects.” Barry’s reference to Anna Wintour, the legendary editor of Vogue and Condé Nast’s chief content officer, highlighted the close professional bond that helped propel Barry to the top of the fashion media world.
Barry’s tenure at Glamour was marked by a bold shift from print to digital publishing, a transition that saw the magazine expand its audience and revenue streams through social media and other digital platforms. She was appointed Glamour’s first global editorial director in 2024, a testament to her vision and leadership. Reflecting on her time at the magazine, Barry said, “I’m enormously proud of what we built together and the amazing people that make up the Glamour teams around the world.” She added, “Storytelling has always been at the heart of my career and ambitions, and I am excited by what comes next.”
Barry’s departure was not an isolated event. It was part of a broader realignment at Condé Nast that saw the company doubling down on its most profitable markets. According to Lynch’s memo, Glamour will now focus its efforts on the United States and Britain, emphasizing fashion and beauty recommendations, prioritizing social and video content, and exploring licensing opportunities and other revenue streams. The international editions in Germany, Spain, and Mexico, as well as Wired’s Italian print edition, simply “have not kept pace with growth in our other markets,” Lynch explained.
For Self magazine, the closure is particularly poignant. Launched nearly 50 years ago, Self carved out a unique space in the health and wellness sector, inspiring generations of readers to pursue healthier lifestyles. Its shift to an online-only format in 2017 was seen as a forward-thinking move at the time, but as digital competition intensified and advertising dollars migrated to new platforms, maintaining profitability became an uphill battle. Now, Self’s legacy will live on through the health and wellness content incorporated into sister brands, but the magazine itself will cease to exist.
The impact of these changes is being felt across the Condé Nast empire. Wired, a publication synonymous with cutting-edge technology reporting, will discontinue its print edition in Italy. However, Wired will continue to publish in the United States, Japan, the Czech Republic, and the Middle East, where growth remains strong. Katie Drummond, who has led Wired’s resurgence over the past two years, will continue to steer the brand’s global strategy, focusing on markets where the publication has found renewed life.
In his memo, Lynch was candid about the rationale behind the closures. “Taken together, Wired in Italy, Self and the affected Glamour markets represent a little over 1 percent of our overall revenue,” he wrote. “They also remain unprofitable and continuing to operate them in their current form limits our ability to invest in the ideas and areas that will drive future growth.” The message was clear: Condé Nast is not retreating, but rather reallocating resources to ensure it stays ahead in a rapidly changing media landscape.
For Samantha Barry, the decision to step down was both personal and professional. “Something I’ve been thinking about for a while and with changes to our global operations now is the time,” she wrote. Barry’s leadership was widely credited with taking Glamour to “new digital heights,” diversifying its audience and revenue, and launching campaigns that “genuinely moved the needle for women.” Her departure leaves big shoes to fill, but she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Wintour, calling it “one of the great professional privileges.”
Condé Nast’s latest moves reflect broader trends reshaping the media industry. As audiences fragment and digital platforms become ever more dominant, traditional publishers are being forced to rethink their strategies from the ground up. The closure of Self and the slimming down of Glamour’s international footprint are the latest signs that even the most storied brands must evolve to survive.
Still, the company remains confident about its future. Lynch assured employees that Condé Nast’s overall business remains strong, with profitability and revenue growth at the end of 2025. By prioritizing markets with the greatest potential and investing in new forms of content and revenue streams, Condé Nast aims to remain a leader in the world of fashion, health, and technology media for years to come.
As the dust settles, the end of Self magazine and the departure of Samantha Barry mark a turning point for Condé Nast—and, perhaps, for the wider industry. In an age of relentless change, adaptability is the name of the game. For now, all eyes are on what comes next for these iconic brands and the people who helped shape them.