The End of an Era: What Comes After Teen Vogue?
Written by Daphne Bryant
By now I’m sure you’ve heard of Teen Vogue’s death (oops, I mean consolidation), but if you haven’t, or are unfamiliar with Teen Vogue’s editorial identity and why this is such a big deal, allow me to catch you up.
It all began in 2003 (my birth year), when Teen Vogue was originally launched. The magazine was targeted at teenage girls and young women who wanted to feel grown-up but still obsessed over all of the adolescent trends like Justin Bieber’s“ crazy year” and mega-glam prom looks. Think of it like Vogue’s younger (and highkey, cooler) sister.
I remember being a kid and feeling like Teen Vogue was the most awesome thing ever, that I had to be part of their world. I wanted to own the magazines and read the articles and cut out pictures of pretty people, and there were many times when I fantasized about working for them myself.
In 2015, due to a steep decline in sales, Teen Vogue ceased all print production and distribution and became the digital-only publication we know today. Teen Vogue evolved in other ways as well; it is no longer just a fashion and celebrity gossip mag, but a progressive, arguably leftist, platform that pushes for diversity of thought and people. In recent years, Teen Vogue has done an excellent job at covering politics and social justice issues that they never would have in the early 2000s. Elaine Welteworth, the first African American Editor-in-Chief Teen Vogue has ever had, is largely responsible for the initial shift. She was hired right as Donald Trump was first elected in 2016, and the publication increased its coverage of politics, immigration, labor and climate change as a result. Even after she departed a year later, Teen Vogue did not shy away from conversations about Trump, trans rights, AI, Gaza, DEI on campus and more.
In their own words, Teen Vogue is“ the young person’s guide to conquering (and saving) the world.” That resonated with me, and with over 4 million people around the world. The work they did and the topics they published were so powerful. It’s funny; as an adult I admire Teen Vogue more than I ever did as a child, so you can imagine my shock and amazement when my now-friend and photographer Bea Oyster (who shot Katseye’s iconic Teen Vogue cover and was part of Teen Vogue’s staff) liked my repost and reached out to let me know that she’d been a long-time follower and fan of Dreamworldgirl Zine.
It was like a dream. Someone at Teen Vogue loved my work?! A mutual fangirling session ensued, and then I found out that Bea would briefly be in LA for the Teen Vogue Summit, an annual full-day event and experience featuring a slew of influential cultural icons and change-makers. Lucky for me, I would already be in attendance with some of my staff, so Bea and I decided we’d find each other that Saturday, and we did.
During the event, Bea made it her mission to meet and breathe life into every single person at the Summit who had ever worked with DWG in any capacity. I was so grateful for her kindness and inspired by her genuine enthusiasm. She really cared about me, my team and my mission. I’ll never forget it when she looked me right in the eyes and said something along the lines of:“ Dreamworldgirl has something that Teen Vogue just doesn’t. We might have the financial backing and global influence, but your community is so strong. I wish we were more like you.” Bea vowed to show me around the Teen Vogue office the next time I was in New York City, and I was elated by the prospect of getting to know her better and stepping foot in a place I’d dreamed of pretty much my whole life.
That was supposed to happen today, but it’s not, because Bea was one of six staffers (most of whom are BIPOC and/or queer) laid off in the wake of a despicable merger that is essentially destroying the Teen Vogue we know and love. Lex McMenamin, who is nonbinary and a GLAAD Award-nominated writer, was also fired. Gone too is Versha Sharma, the first South Asian American to ever be Editor-in-Chief of a Condé Nast brand. I find myself asking: what the fuck is going on?
The news broke on Monday, when Condé Nast announced its plans to fold media brand Teen Vogue into Vogue.com. Do not get it twisted: they’re not doing this for us. Condé Nast is essentially killing Teen Vogue’s uniqueness and in the process, fired some of their most interesting and talented employees. Even worse, they did it right before Election Day. This isn’t just corporate concentration, or a way to provide“ a more unified reader experience,” as Vogue representatives would like us to believe. It’s intentional silencing, a move towards conservatism, or at the very least towards neutrality.
Condé Union and the NewsGuild of New York have strongly condemned the merger and related layoffs, slamming the decision as“ a move that is clearly designed to blunt the award-winning magazine’s insightful journalism at a time when it is needed the most.” The Internet is mourning, and the people are angry. I’m angry, because this isn’t fair. Teen Vogue is the blueprint. It’s always been good, but the newfound perspectives that came from marginalized and underrepresented voices made it great, aspirational in a way it had not been before. Teen Vogue was proof that there’s an audience for the kind of art I want to make: fun, with substance. Meeting Bea was a highlight of my year, not because I wanted to schmooze and network with her but because she gave me hope.
“Teen Vogue is the blueprint. It’s always been good, but the newfound perspectives that came from marginalized and underrepresented voices made it great, aspirational in a way it had not been before. Teen Vogue was proof that there’s an audience for the kind of art I want to make: fun, with substance.”
As of today, only one woman of color remains on the editorial staff at Teen Vogue, and there is no designated person reporting on politics. Teen Vogue will always live in my heart, but it’s a sad week for their readers, and fans are taking to social media to express their concern for the future of youth media. People are asking: what now? What will young people look to for information and community, where will they go when they’re curious about fashion or politics or pop culture?
The answer is right under our noses. It’s simple. We turn towards independent media and independent voices. We invest in them the way we would Teen Vogue or Tigerbeat or any of the other magazines that helped shape the way we think and feel about ourselves and the world. There’s a bit of a zine/print renaissance happening right now, and the Vogue merger is as good a sign as any to stop relying on corporate journalism and lean into these zines and indie mags instead. My multimedia publication, Dreamworldgirl Zine, is about girlhood, but not the Lana Del Rey kind. It is gender-inclusive and reimagines the Y2K era, and it is one of many publications making impactful changes IRL, and online.
“We turn towards independent media and independent voices. We invest in them the way we would Teen Vogue or Tigerbeat or any of the other magazines that helped shape the way we think and feel about ourselves and the world.”
Want something a little kooky? Check out Oofie Magazine, a junk drawer-type of collective for all things art, fashion, and creativity. Craving representation? Try out Look Deeper Zine, your underground insider into disability culture and community, or Chapstick Magazine, a gorgeous publication by and for lesbians.
Like a shopping mall, there are endless spaces to tap into, and all of them could use your support in one way or another. Yesterday I co-hosted a lovely afternoon tea and crafting event in Bushwick, and while there I made a little zine outlining 4 (super easy) ways to support DWG.
Follow us on our socials!
Come to our events!
Buy our zines and merch!
Tell a friend about Dreamworldgirl!
You can essentially rinse and repeat these steps with any magazine that catches your eye. If you’re wondering what comes after Teen Vogue, this is it. Hell, you could even start your own zine! Foster a community, be your own hero, and make your own magic.
