Alexandra Shulman quits for work-life balance reasons, leaving Vogue recruiters a huge task

Alexandra Shulman, Vogue UK’s Editor-in-chief who famously eschewed the orthodox, banal stereotype of disdainful and aloof fashion queen in favour of her own way (a “chain-smoking 50-year-old Toyota-driving divorcee”, as she described herself to The Guardian), has departed after a quarter of a century. 

Her colleagues described her exit as “rather stylish”, and a senior colleague described her leadership style as “never starry in a very conscious way. It was quite British, just like her magazine” – The Guardian reports.   

Shulman attributed an increasing awareness to life beyond work as a reason for her departure: “I realised that I very much wanted to experience a different life and look forward to a future separate to Vogue.” This mirrors Nigel Farage’s reasoning for leaving an entirely different yet equally high-profile role – “I want my life back” he said simply.   

She was also open about the difficulties she has faced in what outwardly appeared to be a “sort of lovely and easy” role. Speaking to The Observer, she continued: “I think it’s quite good to show you’ve had bad things happen as well.”