Can a magazine change our perception of fashion? 60 years of Vogue Italia say yes
From the rebellious 1960s to the digital age, Vogue Italia has been pushing boundaries and redefining fashion for six decades
This year, Vogue Italia hits a major milestone: its 60th anniversary. Since its launch in 1964, the magazine has been more than just a glossy collection of beautiful images. It’s been a cultural force, embodying a revolutionary attitude that transcends the world of fashion. With its fearless approach to addressing social issues and breaking down creative barriers, Vogue Italia has consistently championed those daring enough to be trailblazers in both society and style.
Since the Swinging Sixties, some of the most iconic photographers, artists, and creators have come together to write the pages of Vogue Italia, making it more than just a magazine – it’s a movement. Today, it speaks to a global audience of over 16 million across its digital and print platforms, proving that its voice is louder and more relevant than ever. “Year after year, cover after cover, Vogue continues to capture the evolution of taste with creativity and style, always looking forward and committed to promoting talent in all its forms,” said Francesca Ragazzi, today’s Head of Editorial Content for Vogue Italia. “In an increasingly complex world, we aim to inspire a more global community by celebrating values like creativity, respect, inclusion, and sustainability—each of which is synonymous with beauty and represents our legacy.”
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As the highlight of its 60th-anniversary celebrations, Vogue Italia presented the exhibition Sixty Years of Vogue Italia – Sixty Years of the Future, a journey through the magazine’s ground-breaking history. The event, open from September 19 to 21 at Palazzo Citterio in Milan, showcased 60 iconic covers from its archives, mapping the creative revolutions and talents that have shaped the magazine’s identity.
The vision of Lidia Tabacchi with the magazine Novità led to the creation of Vogue Italia, which quickly transformed from a local guide to style into an international voice, capturing global cultural shifts. It evolved from showcasing the iconic miniskirts of Mary Quant and London’s Swinging Sixties to Franco Sartori’s rebranded Vogue Italia, which featured models who embodied more than just beauty—they exuded personality and individuality, making them icons of the supermodel era. The magazine embraced change yet again when Franca Sozzani took the reins. Under her direction, fashion wasn’t just about clothes anymore—it was about life. Vogue Italia became a platform for political, social, and environmental issues, with covers addressing topics like plastic surgery, post-9/11 emergencies, and the BP oil spill, not to mention the iconic Black Issue.
Fast forward to today, the magazine continues to break new ground. From the all-white cover released during the height of the pandemic—conceived by then-editor Emanuele Farneti, who took over the magazine after Franca Sozzani’s passing, only to hand it to Francesca Ragazzi four years later—to future-facing features with AI-generated backgrounds, Vogue Italia keeps its focus on what’s next. Whether it’s highlighting Paralympic champion Veronica Yoko Plebani or fashion icon Bella Hadid, the magazine continues to be a driving force for change while also adapting to the challenges of the digital age.
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The exhibition, curated by Vogue Italia in collaboration with former Creative Director Ferdinando Verderi, offered an immersive, interactive experience. It invited visitors to engage with the evolving design of the show, ensuring that the story of Vogue Italia remains fluid and constantly reinterpreted by its audience. “The idea is to offer a non-permanent chronology so that it can be constantly reimagined by the public,” Verderi explained. “There is no single way to live and interpret this history, which is why we’ve invited numerous voices to contribute. In a sense, they are the stars of this exhibition.”
In celebrating 60 years of pushing the envelope, Vogue Italia isn’t just looking back—it’s charging forward with the same rebellious spirit that has made it a global icon. Here’s to the next sixty!
Angelo Ruggeri
Journalist, Master’s Programme Tutor & Fashion Styling Course Leader, Milan