As the world’s fashion bible, Vogue was naturally headquartered at an iconic central London address that was the epitome of style and glamour.
But since editor-in-chief Anna Wintour closed the doors at Vogue House in Hanover Square two years ago, things at publisher Condé Nast’s HQ have taken a rather less salubrious turn.
I can reveal that staff at its flagship titles are furious after being forced to do their jobs at a co-working space by Waterloo station complete with hastily printed Vogue covers to make them feel at home.
Sources tell me the uninspiring office was rented by fashion legend Ms Wintour, 75, ‘on a whim’ after she came to London in December and was not amused on finding almost no one in the office.
Shortly afterwards, a missive was sent to employees informing them of a new requirement to be in the office at least four days a week to boost productivity.
But when workers reluctantly filed back into Condé Nast’s new headquarters in the Adelphi building on The Strand this month, they found there were not enough desks to accommodate everyone – forcing Condé Nast to rent additional office space.
Since editor-in-chief Anna Wintour closed the doors at Vogue House in Hanover Square two years ago, things at publisher Condé Nast’s HQ have taken a rather less salubrious turn
I can reveal that staff at its flagship titles are furious after being forced to do their jobs at a co-working space by Waterloo station complete with hastily printed Vogue covers to make them feel at home
Vogue staff are treated to Champagne and sweets at Vogue House as the title prepared to move to its new home after 65 years in Mayfair
When workers reluctantly filed back into Condé Nast’s new headquarters in the Adelphi building on The Strand this month, they found there were not enough desks to accommodate everyone – forcing Condé Nast to rent additional office space
The contract is said to be costing the company dear, which has only stoked staff hostilities because it follows a recent raft of redundancies.
And while the satellite office is only a ten-minute walk, for disgruntled staff of the world’s most luxurious publishing company the move represents a dramatic slide down the Monopoly board.
A source said: ‘It couldn’t be less like the Vogue House glory days in Hanover Square.
‘Someone printed off some paper posters of Vogue front covers and stuck them on a few walls here and there to make us feel like we still work at Condé Nast, even though we are practically in Waterloo station.’
The glossy days are well and truly over!
Darzi’s daughter to be a wedding belle
Happy news for NHS reformer Lord Darzi this week. I can reveal that his daughter Nina Darzi, 29, is engaged to Benjamin Cleary, 34, a former director of Armour-Winston, the Mayfair watch dealer and jewellery specialist.
Nina, who turned heads as one of Tatler’s bright young things at their annual Little Black Book Party, is a graduate of London fashion school Istituto Marangoni.
Her sister Martha posted a delighted picture of Nina on her social media showing off the glittering engagement ring with a gargantuan rock. ‘So happy for you – can’t wait to celebrate you,’ Martha wrote. Nuptials are set for spring next year.
Happy news for NHS reformer Lord Darzi this week. I can reveal that his daughter Nina Darzi, 29, is engaged to Benjamin Cleary, 34
Nina, who turned heads as one of Tatler’s bright young things at their annual Little Black Book Party, is a graduate of London fashion school Istituto Marangoni
She famously eschewed Tinder after she joined the board of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s Royal Foundation – but now I can reveal that Zeinab Badawi has tied the knot with a cattle farmer called Bertie Facon.
The broadcaster, 65, and her beloved toasted their marriage at the Royal Opera House last week, alongside a stellar guestlist including her fellow former Channel 4 news anchor Jon Snow and model Naomi Campbell.
Zeinab Badawi, 65, and her beloved toasted their marriage at the Royal Opera House last week, alongside a stellar guestlist including her fellow former Channel 4 news anchor Jon Snow and model Naomi Campbell
Pressure of being a Bowie
Since David Bowie’s daughter Lexi Jones, 24, released her debut album, her ‘nepo baby’ insecurities have come to the fore.
She has put a poem on social media titled ‘David Bowie’s Daughter’ littered with angsty couplets about how detractors may perceive her. ‘They compare me to his heights like I’m supposed to reach his light,’ she writes. I hope her lyrics are more sophisticated…
Since David Bowie’s daughter Lexi Jones, 24, released her debut album, her ‘nepo baby’ insecurities have come to the fore
She has put a poem on social media titled ‘David Bowie’s Daughter’ littered with angsty couplets about how detractors may perceive her
As leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch rarely gets any downtime. But, I’m told, whenever she can snatch a few minutes between meetings, she loves playing The Sims – the video game that lets you control virtual people. What a lark!
We all know the late Queen had a penchant for gin martinis – and now her former dresser is trying Japanese pink gin.
‘Must buy more bottles ready for summer parties and BBQs,’ says Angela Kelly, who served Her Majesty from 1993 to 2022. Bottoms up!
We all know the late Queen had a penchant for gin martinis – and now her former dresser is trying Japanese pink gin
