Alexandra Shulman

British Fashion Editor, Longest-Serving British Vogue Chief, Columnist, Cultural Commentator & Media Thought Leader

Alexandra Shulman’s Biography:

Alexandra Shulman CBE is one of the most influential figures in British media, best known for her tenure as Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, a role she held for 25 years from 1992 to 2017. As the longest-serving editor in the magazine’s history, Alexandra reshaped Vogue’s voice, combining fashion authority with cultural intelligence and commercial rigour. Under her leadership, the title reached record circulation highs and produced some of the most iconic covers in publishing history. Today, Alexandra is a highly respected keynote speaker, writer and commentator, known for her thoughtful, candid reflections on leadership, creativity and modern society.

Alexandra’s journey was far from linear. Raised in a family immersed in journalism and literature, she attended St Paul’s Girls’ School before studying social anthropology at the University of Sussex. Early ambitions lay outside fashion, with initial roles in the music industry at independent labels and Arista Records, experiences she has since described as formative failures that sharpened her resilience. Her entry into publishing came via a secretarial role at Over 21 magazine, before joining Condé Nast in 1982. Working at Tatler under Tina Brown, Alexandra developed a sharp editorial instinct, later contributing to The Sunday Telegraph, Vogue and British GQ, where she became Editor in 1990, one of the few women leading a major men’s title at the time.

Her appointment as Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue in 1992 was met with scepticism, yet Alexandra quickly proved her authority. She oversaw landmark issues including the Millennium Issue, the highest-selling in Vogue’s history, and the celebrated Diana, Princess of Wales memorial cover. Known for her editorial independence, Alexandra refused celebrity copy approval and took clear positions on body image, declining to publish diets or cosmetic surgery content. Her leadership earned widespread recognition, including Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 and promotion to Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2018. She was twice named Editors’ Editor of the Year by the British Society of Magazine Editors and remains a trusted voice across national media.

Why Hire Alexandra Shulman?

As a keynote speaker, Alexandra Shulman brings rare insight into leadership at the highest level of creative business. She speaks on media power, decision-making under scrutiny, cultural change, women in leadership and navigating long-term careers in fast-moving industries. Drawing on real moments from her Vogue years, including leading through public criticism and commercial pressure, Alexandra offers audiences perspective, honesty and depth. For organisations seeking a speaker who combines authority with humanity, and creativity with discipline, Alexandra delivers conversations that stay with audiences long after the event.

Alexandra Shulman’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Alexandra Shulman’s inspirational journalism career:

• 2025 – Speaker at Luxury Law Summit London 2025 at the British Museum
• 2018 – Promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
• 2017 – Named Editors’ Editor of the Year by the British Society of Magazine Editors
• 2017 – Stepped down as editor-in-chief from British Vogue after 25 years
• 2016 – Produced British Vogue’s centenary issue featuring Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
• 2013 – Ranked among the 100 most powerful women in the UK by BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour
• 2012 – Published first novel ‘Can We Still Be Friends?’
• 2010 – Awarded Honorary Master of Arts degree by the University for the Creative Arts
• 2005 – Awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
• 1999 – Oversaw Vogue’s Millennium Issue, record circulation
• 1992 – Appointed editor-in-chief of British Vogue
• 1990 – First female editor of British GQ