The Climb: Lindsay Peoples Wagner Is Named New Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue

When we first became aware of Lindsay Peoples Wagner, she was a fresh-faced assistant to the Senior Fashion Market Editor at Teen Vogue—a promotion from her start at the magazine as an intern. In the years since, Teen Vogue has proven itself a force in up-and-coming fashion and social commentary alike, primarily under the leadership of former editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth. Concurrently, so has Peoples Wagner, who has won the ASME Next award honoring outstanding achievement by magazine journalists under the age of 30, and has been fashion editor at The Cut since 2015. Her recent 100-influencer exposé on what it’s like to be black in the fashion industry was a viral game changer.

Now, her tenacity, incisive commentary and ingenuity are being rewarded, as Teen Vogue announces that on Oct. 18, Peoples Wagner will take over the reins at the outlet, succeeding current Chief Content Officer Phillip Picardi (also CCO of LGBTQ+ platform Them and future editor-in-chief of Out magazine).

“Lindsay is a gifted talent who can equally inspire and challenge her audiences,” said Anna Wintour, Condé Nast artistic director and Vogue editor-in-chief, in a statement. “She brings a sophistication and fresh perspective to the cultural moments and social themes that activate our Teen Vogue readers and we are very excited to have her back at Condé Nast.”

Of returning to the platform that gave her her start, Peoples Wagner said in a press release:

“As a former intern and assistant at Teen Vogue, I’m so excited to come full circle and be back at a time when there is nothing more powerful or important than a young person who is passionate about change. I’m looking forward to our coverage—whether it be on fashion, politics, celebrities or beauty—being both necessary and dynamic to cultural conversations.”

Teen Vogue went exclusively digital in November 2017 but has continued to maintain a reported 9 percent year-over-year increase in unique visitors per month. The imprint’s upcoming Teen Vogue Summit will take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 in Los Angeles, headlined by Serena Williams.

Congratulations to Lindsay Peoples Wagner!