Vanity Fair (magazine)

Vanity Fair is a prominent American monthly magazine.

It focuses on popular culture, fashion, and current affairs. The publication is managed by the media company Condé Nast. It serves as a significant cultural touchstone in the United States. Today, the magazine has expanded its reach through various international editions. It also operates in digital spaces through video and online news. The name itself carries a literary history. It originates from a fictitious place in John Bunyan's book, *Pilgrim's Progress*. This name was also used in an 1847 novel by William Makepeace Thackeray.

The history of the magazine began with Condé Montrose Nast. In 1913, he purchased a men's fashion magazine called *Dress*. He initially renamed it *Dress and Vanity Fair*. Eventually, it became simply *Vanity Fair*. The magazine saw great success during the 1920s. At its peak, it reached a circulation of 90,000 copies. However, the Great Depression caused a decline in advertising revenue. This economic shift forced the magazine to merge with *Vogue* in March 1936. The two titles remained linked until February 1983. Following this, Condé Nast decided to revive the *Vanity Fair* title.

Leadership has shaped the magazine's identity through many eras. Richard Locke edited the first revived issue in February 1983. He was quickly succeeded by Leo Lerman. Later, Tina Brown served as editor from 1984 to 1992. Graydon Carter held the position for a long tenure from 1992 to 2017. Radhika Jones followed him, serving from 2017 to 2025. In June 2025, Mark Guiducci became the new editor-in-chief.

These editors managed a diverse staff, including regular columnists like Christopher Hitchens and Sebastian Junger. In 2022, the employees of the magazine officially unionized.

Journalism and investigative reporting are core parts of the magazine's mission. In 1996, Marie Brenner wrote an exposé regarding the tobacco industry. This article, "The Man Who Knew Too Much," inspired the 1999 film *The Insider*. One of the magazine's most famous moments occurred in May 2005. In that issue, *Vanity Fair* identified Mark Felt as "Deep Throat." Felt was the Watergate whistleblower who leaked information leading to President Richard Nixon's resignation. The magazine also conducts famous interviews. These include candid discussions with figures like Jennifer Aniston and Anderson Cooper. Some stories, like a 2012 report by Richard Engel, have required updates for accuracy.

Visual storytelling through photography defines the magazine's aesthetic.

Renowned photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Bruce Weber have created many iconic covers. One famous 1991 portrait by Leibovitz featured a pregnant Demi Moore. The magazine has also faced scrutiny regarding its imagery. In 1999, a photo of Mike Myers as a Hindu deity led to an apology. In 2008, a photoshoot involving Miley Cyrus caused controversy. In 2014, users on Twitter questioned the complexion of Lupita Nyong'o in a photo. The magazine has had to navigate these complex discussions about art and representation.

The magazine's influence extends to high-profile social events. The Vanity Fair Oscar Party began in 1994. It was a successor to invitation-only events held by agent Irving Paul Lazar. Early parties were co-hosted by producer Steve Tisch at Morton's. Graydon Carter initially kept the guest list small, with about 120 people. The event has moved to various locations, including the Sunset Tower and a large glass structure. In 2008, the party was canceled to support the Writers Guild of America strike. In 2021, the pandemic also caused a cancellation. Some parties are now held at the French ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C.

Modern *Vanity Fair* has branched into several new media formats. In 2013, Condé Nast Entertainment launched a YouTube channel for the brand. To celebrate its centennial, the magazine co-produced ten short films. It also partnered with Investigation Discovery for the series *Vanity Fair Confidential*. This show is based on stories originally found in the magazine. In 2016, the magazine launched "The Hive" to cover business and technology. This digital branch later partnered with Cheddar to create the weekly series *VF Hive*. These ventures show how the brand adapts to changing consumption habits.