VogueAustralia is the Australian edition of Vogue magazine.[1] The magazine became the fifth edition of Vogue in 1959 following Vogue, British Vogue, Vogue Paris and Vogue New Zealand.[2]
Prior to becoming a stand-alone edition, the Australian edition operated as a supplement to British Vogue from 1952.[3][4] The magazine is published by News Corp under a licence from Condé Nast.
History
Beginnings Under Rosemary Cooper (1959–1962)
Vogue Australia launched with a Spring/Summer issue in 1959 featuring the Tania Mallet photographed by Norman Parkinson.[5] The magazine was published by Condé Nast, this was until 1972 when it became licensed under Bernard Leser Publications.[6] Condé Nast started publishing the magazine again in 1989.[6]
Under Marion Hume and Juliet Ashworth (1997–1999)
Marion Hume was the magazine's editor for only an 18 month period, during this time the magazines circulation dropped and Hume was sacked and replaced.[7]
In 1998 Juliet Ashworth was appointed editor-in-chief replacing Hume, previously editor-in-chief of Woman's Day her appointment was seen as Vogue Australia going downmarket in order to increase its declining circulation.[8]
Ashworth's first cover featured Patrick Rafter and Lara Feltham.
Under Kirstie Clements (1999–2012)
Condé Nast pulled out of the Australian market in 2002, with this the magazine became licensed under the Federal Publishing Company.[6][9] However in 2006 News Ltd. purchased Federal Publishing Companys magazines for $180 million (AUD) with this the magazine became part of News Ltd.[10]
The magazine's December 2003 issue was guest-edited by fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld,[11] this was the first magazine to be guest edited by Lagerfeld and featured Eva Herzigová on the cover.
Christine Centenera was appointed Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Australia in late 2022.[15] Centenera previously worked as fashion director of Harper's Bazaar Australia and since 2012 had been fashion director of Vogue Australia.[15][16]
Her first issue was March 2023 and featured Hailey Bieber on the magazines cover.[17][18]
Features
Indigenous Australian representation
Elaine George became the first Indigenous Australian model to feature on the cover of any edition of Vogue with her September 1993 Vogue Australia cover.[19][20][21] Regarding her historic cover, George stated "I wanted to make sure I represented my people in the best way […] it was like bringing the rest of Australia on a journey. I had that opportunity to make way for the next young Aboriginal model".[22] In June 2010, 17 years after George, Dunghutti model Samantha Harris became the second Indigenous Australian model to feature on the cover of Vogue Australia.[23][24] This was followed by Awabakal model Charlee Frasers' cover in April 2018.[25]
Vogue Australia has featured the work of Indigenous artists and designers. The 60th Anniversary issue in December 2019 featured Yolngu model Maminydjama (Magnolia) Maymuru and artist Maree Clarke, among others.[26]
On the theme of "hope", for the September 2020 cover, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Vogue Australia worked with the National Gallery of Australia to commission artist Betty Muffler, an AṉanguPitjantjatjara woman and Ngangkaṟi (spiritual healer) from remote South Australia, to bring hope and healing with her artwork Ngangkari Ngura (Healing Country).[22][27] Of the cover, Muffler said, "Through my paintings you can see my Ngangkari work: watching over people and also looking after Country. My Country. This place is very important – we all need to look after each other and respect our home".[28][29]
Healthy body initiative
May 2013 marked the first anniversary of a healthy body initiative that was signed by the magazine's international editors—the initiative represents a commitment from the editors to promote positive body images within the content of Vogue's numerous editions. Vogue Australia editor Edwina McCann explained:
In the magazine we're moving away from those very young, very thin girls. A year down the track, we ask ourselves what can Vogue do about it? And an issue like this [June 2013 issue] is what we can do about it. If I was aware of a girl being ill on a photo shoot I wouldn't allow that shoot to go ahead, or if a girl had an eating disorder I would not shoot her.[30]
The Australian edition's June 2013 issue was entitled Vogue Australia: "The Body Issue" and featured articles on exercise and nutrition, as well as a diverse range of models. New York-based Australian plus-size modelRobyn Lawley, previously featured on the cover of Vogue Italia, also appeared in a swimwear shoot for the June issue.[30]
Jonathan Newhouse, Condé Nast International chairman, stated that "Vogue editors around the world want the magazines to reflect their commitment to the health of the models who appear on the pages and the wellbeing of their readers."[31] Alexandra Shulman, one of the magazine's editors, commented on the initiative by stating, "As one of the fashion industry's most powerful voices, Vogue has a unique opportunity to engage with relevant issues where we feel we can make a difference."[31]
Other editions
Vogue Living (1967–present)
Launched in 1967 originally as Vogue's Guide to Living.[32] From 1970 it was published as Vogue Living. In 1999 the magazines circulation was increased from bimonthly to monthly but later returned to the bimonthly schedule.[8]
^Cole, Kelli; Hartshorn, Aidan (5 January 2021). "Betty Muffler: hope and healing". National Gallery of Australia. Retrieved 12 July 2021. This interview was first published in the Spring 2020 edition of Artonview.
