WITH LUCY MAGUIRE
INSIDE JOB:
From career highlights to a typical day in her life, get to know Vogue Business’ senior trends editor Lucy Maguire.
Lucy Maguire knows her stuff. As the senior trends editor at Vogue Business, Maguire is an expert in the cultural, social and technological developments that propel the fashion industry forward. To date, she’s worked with the likes of Suzy Menkes and Kim Kardashian. Maguire has made a name for herself as a one-of-a-kind voice in fashion. And she’s not slowing down.
This week, we have something big in store for you. To celebrate the launch of Euphoria Fashion, Heidi Bivens, the costume designer of the iconic show, will join Lucy Maguire and celebrity stylist Leah Abbott at FLANNELS X on the 27th of April for the first instalment of Inside Job, our new event series in partnership with THE FACE. Expect discussions around style, identity, and fashion’s role in pop culture, alongside an insider look at breaking into the industry, hosted by THE FACE’s digital director, Brooke McCord.
Inside Job is a brand-new series of URL and IRL events spotlighting rising industry voices at the intersection of fashion, culture, art and music. Designed to share knowledge and remove barriers to entry within the creative industries, the series will provide a new generation of fashion creatives and entrepreneurs with the tangible advice they need to level up on their own creative journey.
Ahead of the event, Maguire sat down with us to talk what success looks like for her, what she thinks will be the next big trend and her advice to young creatives starting out in the industry.
What’s your journey to success looked like?
It’s been fun. But a lot of hard work and late nights. I started out as most people do, interning for free anywhere that would take me. Eventually I secured a paid internship at Vogue under Suzy Menkes. I’ve been at various roles at Vogue ever since. In fact, I joined Vogue Business as an editorial assistant in April 2019, working my way up to associate, editor and now senior editor.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?
So many people in this industry work super hard. But if you can work really hard and be kind, fun to be around or a good listener for your colleagues and contacts, that is what sets you apart. We work too many hours to not find human connection in our jobs.
What does a typical day look like at Vogue Business?
First thing, I might have a breakfast meeting with a brand or agency, before tackling emails and finishing off any outstanding edits on stories.
The team then regroups at around 11am to go over any news or quick ideas for stories, before diving into planning for the day and the week.
Then for me, it’s interviews with designers, executives, analysts or influencers for my upcoming articles, writing my articles up, maybe attending a strategy meeting for projects like the Vogue Business Talent Competition or having 1-1s with team members.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
Personally, my grandma. She raised eight children essentially by herself and still maintained a career. She also lived to 96 and was cracking jokes until the end. Professionally, there’s so many writers I admire. But I love Hanya Yanagihara, she wrote my favourite book A Little Life, and edits New York Times T magazine.
What’s your earliest fashion memory?
I know normally for this kind of question people say they remember their grandmother wearing Chanel and it sparked their love for craftsmanship, or whatever. But genuinely I think the moment I knew I wanted to work in fashion was seeing an Alexander McQueen dress in Grazia, from the AW09 collection. I sat down, drew the dress, and wrote a show review alongside it in a notebook. Wish I still had it.
As the senior trends editor at Vogue Business, what do you see as the biggest upcoming trends this season?
Everyone is talking about quiet luxury or “stealth wealth”, where people are wearing more muted tones, moving away from logos and towards finer fabrics. I do think this is happening, but I don’t think it’s necessary only for the super-rich. We’re seeing consumers more generally think differently about logos. Look at the success of brands like Bottega Veneta, which don’t have them.
How do you think big cultural moments like Euphoria have influenced the fashion world and what effect do you think TV can influence trends?
Pop culture has always influenced fashion. But in today’s hyper-connected world, the influence of TV, film and music has skyrocketed. The rise of TikTok, where users are shown content that the algorithm thinks they’ll like (rather than just content from people they follow) means that trends can spread like wildfire. Euphoria is one of the most powerful examples. Upon the shows release, search increased for items from the show, be it blue straight dresses or sparkly makeup. TV shows create common connection. And research shows Gen Z is the loneliest generation. It makes sense they want to communicate their affiliation through their clothes.
You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, from Kim Kardashian to Suzy Menkes. What’s been your proudest career moment?
There’s so many! There’s been major moments. Travelling to Portland, Oregon to interview the CEO of Nike was amazing. But honestly, I think my first Paris Fashion Week a few years ago. That’s the kind of thing you dream about isn’t it. And not many people get to go, I’m honestly grateful every season for that.
If you could give one piece of advice to young creatives starting out in fashion, what would it be?
Tenacity. I sent so many applications, so many emails, LinkedIn messages and DMs before I got anywhere with internships. And I sometimes felt bad following up when people didn’t respond. Now, being on the other side of it, I never get annoyed when people chase me or follow up with me for career advice. I now know how busy work can be in this industry! So, keep pushing, keep trying. People are busy but in my experience they’re often keen to help.