I’m a fashion person. So I don’t read Glamour Magazine for style inspiration. For that, I read Paris Vogue and Purple and V. But you know what? None of that matters, because a significant number of smart, capable women do read Glamour. And they’ve made it the most popular–and arguably the most influential–women’s magazine in the US. A big part of that influence stems from the fact that, unlike a lot of style books, Glamour has adapted with the times. Rather than sit back and let their lunch get eaten by smart blogs like ours, Glamour is taking the web seriously.
No doubt some industry insiders were shocked when the 71-year-old publication won Magazine of the Year at last week’s National Magazine Awards. The magazine was the only glossy nominated for the new award, which according to the American Society of Magazine Editors website “honors publications that successfully use both print and digital media in fulfilling the editorial mission.” And it represented a victory for hair removal and sundresses over the far weightier issues covered in the likes of The Atlantic, Fast Company, Men’s Health and New York. (Well, maybe count Men’s Health out of the weighty class.)
