This morning we awoke to a very surprising bit of news in our inboxes (thanks, BoF!): Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington has stepped down from her position at the American magazine, effective immediately. But before you get into a frenzy (ok, we got into a frenzy), a spokesperson has revealed that she will assume the role of creative director at large, producing at least four editorial spreads a year. Phew!
The beloved stylist will begin to work on external projects under the management of Great Bowery (others on their roster include Bruce Weber and Annie Leibovitz). What to expect next? For starters, an upcoming fragrance with Comme des Garçons and possibly even an animated film based off of her “Catwalk Cats” illustration series.
Now for the question that’s surely on everyone’s minds: What does Anna Wintour think? “Anna and I always check in with each other. It grew out of those conversations,” she said. “I guess I kept going to her and saying, ‘Do you mind if I do a book, do you mind if I do a thing?’ She has always been really respectful of me, just as I am respectful of her. She saw that I wanted to branch out a little bit,” Coddington tells Business of Fashion.
The tides are certainly turning, but we’re grateful Grace Coddington will continue to play a large part in the future of fashion! Leave your thoughts about her career move in the comments, and if you haven't read her memoir yet, be sure to pick it up!
