Susannah Frankel: A Career Defined by Fashion’s Avant-Garde
Susannah Frankel has shaped fashion journalism through her incisive analysis of design’s cultural resonance. As Editor-in-Chief of AnOther Magazine since 2016, she champions narratives that bridge fashion, art, and intellectual discourse. Her career—spanning Blitz, The Guardian, The Independent, and Grazia—reveals a consistent focus on designers who challenge conventions.
Career Trajectory: From Blitz to AnOther
- 1989–1991: Deputy Editor at Blitz Magazine, cultivating early interests in subversive design
- 1996–2012: Fashion Editor roles at The Guardian and The Independent, elevating designer profiles through literary-depth interviews
- 2013–2015: Fashion Director at Grazia UK, balancing accessibility with critical rigor
- 2016–present: Editor-in-Chief at AnOther Magazine, curating issues that position fashion within broader cultural movements
Defining Works: Three Articles That Capture Her Voice
- Remembering Yves Saint Laurent: An Archive Interview (Dazed & Confused) Frankel revisits a 1998 conversation with YSL, dissecting his revolutionary 1960s designs through the lens of contemporary gender fluidity. Her analysis contrasts Saint Laurent’s “Le Smoking” tuxedo with modern reinterpretations by Alessandro Michele, arguing that true innovation lies in designs that outlive their era. The piece exemplifies her ability to reframe historical fashion moments as living cultural touchstones.
- The Epic Spring/Summer 2025 Issue (AnOther Magazine) Under Frankel’s direction, this issue positions fashion within mythic storytelling traditions. Her editorial framework connects Cynthia Erivo’s Broadway role in Wicked to fashion’s power in reshaping identity narratives. The analysis highlights her curatorial approach: pairing Colman Domingo’s prison reform advocacy with Valentino’s sharp tailoring to symbolize resilience through aesthetics.
- 20 Years of Making a Magazine (1 Granary) In this dialogue with Alexander Fury, Frankel dissects the ethics of fashion criticism. She advocates for writing that respects designers’ labor while maintaining critical integrity, citing her 1998 Alexander McQueen profile as a model. The conversation reveals her belief in journalism as a bridge between creators and audiences.
Pitching Recommendations: Aligning With Frankel’s Vision
1. Propose Stories on Designers With Philosophical Depth
Frankel prioritizes designers who engage with literature, history, or social theory. Successful pitches might explore how Marine Serre’s post-apocalyptic collections reference Camus or Phoebe Philo’s minimalist silhouettes echo modernist architecture. Avoid surface-level trend reports.
2. Highlight Underrepresented Cultural Narratives
Her coverage of Haitian-born designer Rachel Scott’s Diotima label demonstrates interest in diasporic perspectives. Pitches could examine how African textile traditions influence Copenhagen Fashion Week or Indigenous artisans’ collaborations with luxury houses.
3. Connect Fashion to Broader Artistic Movements
The AnOther feature on Ed Atkins’ digital art/Tate Britain exhibition shows her appetite for cross-disciplinary work. Strong angles might analyze Jonathan Anderson’s Loewe partnerships with ceramicists or Iris van Herpen’s collaborations with NASA engineers.
Awards and Industry Recognition
“Fashion is the armor to survive reality.” – Frankel in her introduction to Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
- 1999 Dress of the Year Curator: Selected by Bath’s Fashion Museum to choose McQueen’s iconic design, cementing her role in archival fashion preservation
- 2021 CFDA Media Award Nomination: Recognized for elevating sustainable design discourse through AnOther’s “Material Futures” series
- 2023 British Fashion Council Commendation: Honored for mentoring emerging critics through the Fashion Trust initiative
