Suzy Menkes
Fashion journalist and critic; former International Vogue editor
Suzy Menkes is a British fashion journalist and critic who spent more than 25 years as fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune and then six years as International Vogue editor at Condé Nast. She is one of the most respected and recognisable voices in fashion criticism, known for independent judgement and for placing fashion in its historical and social context.
| Role | Fashion journalist and critic |
|---|---|
| International Herald Tribune | Fashion editor, 1988 to 2014 |
| Condé Nast | International Vogue editor, 2014 to 2020 |
| Podcast | Creative Conversations with Suzy Menkes (since 2020) |
| Honours | OBE; Légion d'honneur |
Who is Suzy Menkes?
Suzy Menkes was born in 1943 in the United Kingdom and studied history at Cambridge University. Over five decades she has reviewed collections in Paris, Milan, London and New York, and her distinctive presence on the front rows made her one of the best known figures in fashion journalism. She is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and has been awarded the French Légion d'honneur.
Career
- 1980 to 1987: fashion journalist at The Times, London
- 1987 to 1988: The Independent, London
- 1988 to 2014: fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune in Paris
- 2014 to 2020: International Vogue editor at Condé Nast International, writing for the group's international Vogue websites; she left in 2020
At the International Herald Tribune she also hosted an annual luxury conference. During the 2020 lockdown she launched the podcast Creative Conversations with Suzy Menkes, with in depth interviews with designers and industry figures, starting with Maria Grazia Chiuri of Dior; an episode with Naomi Campbell was released in June 2024.
Influence on the fashion business
Menkes became known for critical writing that designers and executives took seriously. The Business of Fashion has described her as "one of fashion's most informed, balanced and respected voices". When she was once barred from a show after a critical review, fellow journalists supported her, a sign of her standing in the profession. She has also commented critically on industry practices, including the accelerating fashion calendar and the rise of what she called the fashion circus of bloggers and street style photography around the shows.
Her historical training informs her approach: she connects collections to wider social and cultural change, and she has written several books on fashion and jewellery design.
Why it matters
Menkes represents a tradition of independent, expert criticism that remains valuable as fashion communication becomes faster and more brand controlled. Her move from newspaper to global digital editions, and later to her own podcast and social channels, also mirrors the wider shift in fashion media from print to online platforms. For brands and professionals, her reviews have long served as a benchmark for how a collection is received by the industry.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Suzy Menkes?
Suzy Menkes is a British fashion journalist and critic. She was fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune from 1988 to 2014 and International Vogue editor at Condé Nast from 2014 to 2020.
What does Suzy Menkes do now?
Since leaving Condé Nast in 2020 she has worked independently, notably through her podcast Creative Conversations with Suzy Menkes, launched during the 2020 lockdown, and her own website and social channels.