The edit on life
Alexandra Shulman, the icon who helmed British Vogue for 25 years, is opening up about life outside the glossy pages. Now 68, the writer is celebrating the release of her new essay collection, Black Coffee and Red Lipstick: Notes on Living, and she’s holding nothing back.
In a recent deep-dive interview, Shulman shared some relatable content that’s honestly giving 'real talk' energy. When asked about her biggest 'oops' moment, she admitted to feeling major regret over missing school pick-ups while raising her son. Seeing parents at school gates nowadays hits her right in the feels—lowkey heartbreaking, no cap.
The aesthetic of honesty
When she isn't reflecting on the past, she’s living her best life by the pool. She dropped some tea on her personal habits, admitting she’s a bit of a menace for never closing cupboards or drawers. And for anyone feeling like a fraud for not finishing their assigned reading, Shulman is right there with you; she admitted she’s ashamed to have skipped 'literally the whole canon of classic English literature.'
She also shared that she’s a fan of the King for his work ethic amid his health battles and isn't afraid to drop some cash on art, citing a Roger Hilton nude painting as her priciest buy ever. As for her life mantra? She’s all about progress over perfection, noting that trying to be perfect is basically the enemy of getting stuff done.
Why it matters
Shulman’s refreshing transparency proves that even the most influential figures in fashion history struggle with the same work-life balance and 'main character' insecurities as the rest of us.
