Last month, the Times ran a rather flattering profile of Russian Vogue editor Aliona Doletskaya, who’s successfully brought a shot of glamour to Putin’s people. The press got itself in a tizzy over Dolteskaya’s rising star, and last week the Post reported that an announcer at a Russian GQ event flat-out referred to Doletskaya as “the next editor of American Vogue.” Well, that’s going to cause a bit of a freak-out! But we don’t believe a word of it, and here’s why: For the last decade we've heard rumors of Anna Wintour's imminent demise, and yet, the ice queen lives to rule another season. But names will always be bandied about; herewith, a rundown of all the other recent would-be usurpers to her throne.
Kate Betts
Before she took over Harper's Bazaar after Liz Tilberis's tragic passing from ovarian cancer in 1999, Kate Betts was Anna's protege. After playing lady-in-waiting to the queen, Betts jumped at the chance to lead her own magazine--and be the youngest fashion editor-in-chief ever. However, her tenure at Hearst was short-lived; in June, 2001 she was replaced by Glenda Bailey. Betts is currently the editor of Time Style & Design.
Plum Sykes
After Betts left, two people filled the gossip void. First, and the unlikeliest, contributing editor Plum Sykes. Charming, chic, and very social (not to mention British!), people whispered Sykes was being groomed. But the so-called heir apparent, though a regular contributor to the magazine, wasn't part of the day-to-day machinations. Sykes has gone on to a successful career as a novelist--Bergdorf Blondes, The Debutante Divorcee--and is still a contributing editor at Vogue.
Sally Singer
The second person who got tongues wagging was Sally Singer, Betts's replacement as Vogue's fashion news director. The faceless gossips at the Fashion Spot (who are often right when it comes to model news) have pegged Singer as a top contender (still) for the job should Anna resign or be fired. Other names tossed out: Teen Vogue's Amy Astley and Vogue fashion director Virginia Smith.
Carine Roitfeld
There's only one thing to say about French Vogue: It's the best. Carine Roitfeld has long been hailed for both her personal style and her daring magazine. And though her publication is much, much smaller than its American cousin, it gets a lion's share of the attention. (The circulation of Paris Vogue is 133,000, compared to 1.2 million for U.S. Vogue.) Even in the semi-fictional The Devil Wears Prada, the very French Jacqueline Follet nearly steals Miranda Priestly's job. But Carine herself has said she's not interested in La Wintour's gig.
Aliona Doletskaya
Which leads us to Aliona. The Russian Vogue editor has been hailed as a major success. The magazine was launched in a time of economic turmoil and now has a circulation of 200,000. But in a country where people now love to spend on luxury on items, is it no wonder Russian Vogue is doing well? We'd be surprised if it weren't.
Priya Tanna
Up next for the rumor mill? Priya Tanna, Vogue India's much-talked-about editor. You read it here first.
from nymag...
i love the bit about tFS and sally singer...her name was only brought up once in that thread...
Well, if I have to bare every aspect of my life in a bid to ensure Plum Sykes doesn't become the editor of US Vogue, I'd be prepared to sacrifice my privacy, dignity and sanity.
__________________ "Working nine to five, what a way to make a living"
"After Anna" could be another 20 years. By then, there will be others we don't even know about now who will be great contenders. That broad isn't going anywhere. She'll go straight from the Vogue offices to her pine box.
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