Suzy Menkes to retire from Vogue International this fall

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jul 2, 2020

Suzy Menkes, fashion’s single most famous critic in the past half century, is going to call it quits at her role as an editor at Vogue International.

In a surprise announcement, the veteran editor announced on her Instagram account that she will be leaving her position within Condé Nast this fall.
 
“After six years at Condé Nast, I will be leaving in October, after attending and reporting on the next season of shows, whether physical or virtual. I have often said that change is the essence of fashion. How true that is!” wrote Menkes.

In a related move, Condé Nast International announced that it had decided to cancelled its next Luxury Conference, hosted by Menkes, scheduled for December 9 and 10 in Vienna this year. So influential was Menkes that the event was widely known as Suzy’s Conference.
 
“As a result of Suzy’s departure, combined with the ongoing uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic, Condé Nast has regrettably taken the decision to cancel the Condé Nast Luxury Conference,” the glossy magazine publisher announced on its own website.

 
Menkes became something of a fashion legend during her career first at the International Herald Tribune and later at the New York Times, before joining Condé Nast in 2014 at an age – 70 – when most people would think of retirement. 
 
“During my time at Vogue, I have enjoyed seeing the evolution and development of the fashion and creative industry - from reporting on shows and posting here on Instagram, to organizing and running some of the greatest conferences and events,” she said on Instagram.
 
However, Menkes cautioned that we will all still be hearing from her.

“I have enjoyed every moment of my time as Editor, Vogue International, and I am proud of everything I have achieved at the company. I am grateful to all the industry insiders I have worked with, and of course my entire team at Condé Nast, especially Adrian Ting @a_j_ting and Natasha Cowan @tashonfash, who have worked with me for ten years,” she stressed.
 
“The current global situation has given me - and all of us - pause for reflection. And so it is time for a new adventure, which I look forward to with excitement. I will continue to write, post, record, and bring together the industry - watch this space (and SuzyMenkes.com) for the next stage of my career! And there may be a book or two with my 30 years of photos and diaries,” she predicted.