“It used to be unheard of to see a middle-aged woman on a cover”: Letter from the editor

Not so long ago, it would be quite unheard of to see a middle-aged woman on the cover of a fashion magazine and it would be rarer still to find her openly discussing her wrinkles on the pages within. At 57 years old, our newest cover star Paulina Porizkova is refreshingly candid about a subject so many like to sweep under the rug. In the fashion world, the notion of the middle-aged woman is complex; as Porizkova notes, ageing is still viewed as an ailment that ought to be treated, like acne. Still, she maintains that as she ages, she also becomes more powerful, more interesting.

I can recognise myself in Porizkova’s dual thoughts about getting older in this industry and, frankly, it’s an honour to have this iconic supermodel on our cover, giving a strong voice to the 50-something woman. In her recently published book, No Filter: The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful, she lays her incredible life story bare in a way that is both fearless and uplifting, all with great humour, which I just adore. Porizkova not only gives voice to the ambiguous, taboo subject of ageing, she also tells her story of being a political refugee from Czechoslovakia, coming to Sweden as a child. In Scandinavia, the history of immigration is something that has shaped our society. In my opinion, today’s first and second generation immigrants to Scandinavia are what make our culture and design language so enduringly exciting.

Another remarkable woman whom I greatly admire is the Swedish crime novelist Viveca Sten. She is the sort of person who can juggle multiple roles, taking on whatever task you present her with panache. After years in the high-pressure law world and serving on the board at several prominent Swedish companies, Sten decided to start writing crime novels. She never does anything mediocre and true to form her books have sold millions of copies all over the world. I am lucky to work closely with Sten (she’s our Chairwoman of the Board) and count her as a wonderful friend to lean on.

In the tiny slot between the second and third novel in her Åre murders series, she managed to write an exclusive short story for Vogue Scandinavia titled The Gondola. It’s a tale so scary it nearly kept me up at night. We are so proud to publish this thriller, alongside a fashion editorial showcasing covetable winter looks for those chilled to the bone. And for those who would like to hear Sten read her story, you will find an audio version on our website.

There is another fascinating woman whose story is felt in this issue – a private fashion collector with a catalogue of treasures the likes of which I’ve never seen before. An auction house in Stockholm invited us to view the collection of nearly untouched vintage designer looks and our fashion team was so inspired that they made a beautiful, energetic fashion story using these garments. We hope this story will inspire you to be more circular and, thereby, more sustainable in your fashion decisions; a hope that’s emphasised globally by Vogue magazines all over the world.

A designer who embodies the notion of timeless allure is Finnish printmaker Maija Isola, who, in her 38 years working for Marimekko, produced some of the most iconic flower patters of our time. Meanwhile, we find future-forward icons in the Danish designer duo behind Rotate – a vibrant, bold, fun and, yes, sexy aesthetic to counter the more austere Scandi minimalism. Today in Scandinavia, we have the privilege to choose from a smorgasbord of designs, also dipping into the past to breathe new life into beloved classics. Perhaps, that’s what it’s all about – celebrating icons, embracing what’s new, and marrying all these views together for something extraordinary and enduring.