Architectural Digest

I’m sure most of you have heard of Architectural Digest, the magazine that has been around since 1920. It caters to an audience with traditional taste in design and architecture. I am a huge fan of the magazine and for years when I turned the pages, I was graced with images of traditional architecture and timeless design. A few months back when I received my issue, I turned the pages and noticed that there was a much more youthful feeling to the architecture and decor being featured. True to my inquisitive mind I began to dig deeper into my suspicions, was Margaret Russel simply taking a new direction for the magazine or was there a new Editor in Chief?

After a simple google search I came across an article in the New York Post that confirmed Amy Astley as the new Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest. I was shocked!!

Astley, the editor of Teen Vogue before this new tittle, was one of Wintour’s protégé. (For those who don’t know Anna Wintour is the editor in chief of Vogue since 1988 and the new artistic director of Condé Nast, the publisher that owns Vogue and Architectural Digest.) Anna, how can you think that she was the best candidate to run a magazine that caters to classic architecture and timeless design?

I am not doubting Astley’s capabilities to be an Editor in Chief, but can you tell the difference?

(All photos are property of Architectural Digest)

I am a firm believer that there is an audience for everything, and this is not catering to the magazine’s faithful audience. We want to see timeless design, not the color wheel in one room. Many of the designs are very whimsical, and I don’t believe that’s bad design, I just prefer a more timeless look.

What do you think? Please share your opinion and comments below.