Best of the Spectator Americano: did Condé Nast shape the world?
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Jul 25, 2025 Michael Grynbaum, a New York Times writer and debut author of "Empire of the Elite," delves into Condé Nast's powerful influence on American culture. He discusses the evolution of celebrity culture and the media giant's struggle amidst social media's rise. The conversation highlights Anna Wintour's retirement, the shifting landscape of magazine publishing, and the complex ties between Condé and Donald Trump. Grynbaum reflects on the nostalgia for the past clarity in fashion and media amidst today’s chaotic choices.
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Michael Grynbaum's Personal Start
- Michael Grynbaum got interested in Condé Nast through his then-girlfriend working at Vanity Fair.
- His firsthand experience of Condé Nast's glamorous office life spurred him to write a comprehensive history of the company.
Conde Nast and American Class Shift
- Condé Nast reflected shifting class expressions, from WASP restraint to overt display of wealth.
- The rise of materialism in the 1980s was perfectly captured and exploited by their magazines.
Tina Brown's British Influence
- Tina Brown brought British playful irony and gossip sensibility to American magazines.
- This introduced a new, more impish discourse about the upper class to the US press.
