Teen Vogue, the sister publication for Vogue Magazine, and Cosmopolitan Magazine have both announced new editor-in-chiefs. Lindsay Peoples Wagner has been appointed as the new editor-in-chief for Teen Vogue and Jessica Pel for Cosmopolitan.
Wagner was previously fashion editor for The Cut, a fashion blog under New York Magazine. She first came onto the radar when she wrote the article, “Everywhere and Nowhere: What It’s Really Like to Be Black and Work in Fashion.” This story is about the lack of black voices within the fashion industry. For this piece, she interviewed more than 100 black individuals that work as assistants, executives, models, stylists and everyone in between. The article also recounts instances of racial misconduct in Wagner’s life, making it personal and powerful. Before becoming a fashion editor for The Cut, Wagner was a fashion marketing assistant at Teen Vogue and also worked at O, The Oprah Magazine.
Pels joined Cosmopolitan in 2014. In her role as digital director, she revamped Cosmopolitan’s digital and social footprint and increased readership. Before joining Cosmopolitan, she worked for Glamour and Teen Vogue.
Both Condé Nast and Hearst, the mass media companies that own Teen Vogue and Cosmopolitan, are pushing to become more digitally focused. Teen Vogue completely dropped its print editions in January after a series of cutbacks. They are now online only and need new digital initiatives to bring life back to the publication. Wagner is the fourth editor-in-chief in 18 months, and Pels’s new appointment is one of many since Hearst started focusing on integrating digital and print. Hearst has also tapped new leads for executive director of Seventeen Magazine’s web content and a new editor-in-chief for Veranda Magazine, an interior design publication.
When asked about the new leaders, students at SCAD Atlanta hadn’t heard of either Wagner or Pels. However, the news was well-received and welcomed — especially in regards to Wagner. “I actually read her article a few months ago and it was absolutely amazing, probably one of the best I’ve read in a while. So, for her to now be in a position like this as a young, black woman — I’m ecstatic really,” said Gabby Robinson, a third-year fashion marketing student. “Everything has come full circle for her, so how can I not be rooting for her? She’s someone to look up to.”
Both of these publications have had some adjustments in the past few months with top editors exiting, but that doesn’t seem to faze either magazine. Teen Vogue and Cosmopolitan appear committed to creating a stronger and more focused team of professionals who have an eye for the future and innovation. It’s also noteworthy that rather than looking outward for new leaders, both looked inward for people who were already stars within their companies. With fresh, young thinkers in charge, I’m sure we’ll be seeing great changes from both of these publications.
