Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair, the epitome of high-society scrutiny and glossy elitism, was founded in 1913 by Conde Nast—yes, the same Conde Nast who would later grace us with the likes of “Vogue” and “The New Yorker.” Known for its searing exposes and celebrity-centric scandals, it has established itself as the go-to publication for a peek into the lives of the rich and infamous. Its defining moments include a legendary 1997 rebranding under editor Graydon Carter, whose tenure featured the most talked-about covers and cultural scoops—from Princess Diana's haunting last photo shoot to the explosive Harvey Weinstein revelations that cemented its reputation for unearthing the unspeakable. Currently valued at a not-so-peculiar $1 billion, Vanity Fair has earned accolades like the National Magazine Award for General Excellence but has not been without its share of controversies—chief among them, its frequent brush with sensationalism and the occasional lapse into journalistic hubris. Under editor Radhika Jones, Vanity Fair attempts to balance its highbrow aspirations with the demands of a rapidly evolving media landscape, all while maintaining its air of aristocratic hauteur and relentless gossip mongering.