Fashion
Chloe Malle ‘Had to Show’ ‘Vogue’ Predecessor Anna Wintour Her 2026 Met Gala Dress for Approval
While Chloe Malle was named the new Head of Editorial Content at American Vogue, Anna Wintour is reportedly still calling the shots, according to Rob Shuter.
In the Monday, May 4 edition of Shuter’s Naughty But Nice Substack, sources revealed Malle, 40, had to run her dress for the 2026 Met Gala by the 76-year-old Vogue legend, who is the lead chairperson of the evening.
“Chloe absolutely had to show Anna the dress first,” one source shared. “It was not optional. Nothing gets near that carpet without Anna seeing it first — especially not one of her own editors.”
As for the fashion executive’s thoughts, the source revealed “Anna approved it, but she did not love it,” noting: “She was underwhelmed. Deeply.”
Each year, the Met Gala — which takes place on the first Monday in May — sets a dress code for guests, with this year’s being “Fashion is Art.”
While Malle was handpicked as Wintour’s successor in 2025, an insider told Shuter her lack of style evolution is a problem behind the scenes for Wintour and others who work at Vogue.
“Anna expected a transformation,” another source admitted. “She gave Chloe the title, the access, the platform — and expected the image to rise with it. It hasn’t.”
“The feeling is Chloe still dresses like Chloe before the promotion,” a third insider added. “Anna wanted polish. Authority. Evolution. Instead, she sees the same girl with better seating. Around the office, staff are now calling Chloe Cinderella.”
