Alexandra Shulman the editor-in-chief of British Vogue is stepping down after 25 years in the role. The news was announced on Wednesday in a press release from Condé Nast UK managing director Nicholas Coleridge.
Shulman said that steering British Vogue through 2016's centenary was one of her greatest privileges but that it made her realise there's a life ahead of her without the magazine. Of the decision she said: “It has been very hard to find a rational reason to leave what is unquestionably a fascinating and rewarding role, but last autumn I realised that I very much wanted to experience a different life and look forward to a future separate to Vogue.”
The centenary year also saw Shulman receive a considerable amount individual recognition. Not only did she release a book documenting the magazine's centenary preparations, she appeared in a fly on the wall BBC documentary and managed to secure the Duchess of Cambridge as her cover girl for the 100th edition of the magazine.
By the time she departs in June, Shulman will have edited more than 300 issues of British Vogue, with circulation reportedly growing 12 per cent since her arrival. She's remained a fierce advocate for the body positivity and eating disorder awareness within the fashion industry, most recently speaking out against designers that refused to dress model Ashley Graham for the January 2017 issue of the magazine.
Coleridge called Shulman “the towering figure of the British fashion press throughout her tenure." Her successor has not been named, however British Vogue's deputy editor Emily Sheffield is said to be one of the favourites to take over the coveted role.
