Americano Did Condé Nast shape the world?
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Jul 4, 2025 In a captivating discussion, Michael Greenbaum, a New York Times writer and author of 'Empire of the Elite', explores the cultural legacy of Condé Nast. He examines how the media giant once defined American taste, fashion, and celebrity, while now grappling with social media's rise. Greenbaum discusses Anna Wintour's dynamic influence, the evolving landscape of celebrity culture, and Condé Nast's complex ties with figures like Donald Trump. The conversation also highlights the dual nature of elite culture, revealing its blend of cruelty and generosity.
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Personal Connection to Condé Nast
- Michael Greenbaum shares his personal connection to Condé Nast through his wife working there.
- He describes the glamour and cultural sophistication the magazines provided to middle-class readers like him.
Condé Nast and Social Aspiration
- Condé Nast captured a social aspiration shift from old WASP restraint to a more openly glamorous display of wealth.
- The magazines thrived by aligning with changing cultural attitudes toward conspicuous consumption in the 1980s.
British Sensibility Revamps American Magazines
- Tina Brown introduced a British, playful, ironic attitude to American society magazines, mixing gossip with high society.
- This imported sensibility reshaped American media by blending lowbrow subjects with an intellectual tone.