Australian fashion figures are further infiltrating the global ranks of Vogue, with Sydney-based stylist Megha Kapoor announced as the new editor of Vogue India. Kapoor’s surprise appointment by Vogue global editorial director Anna Wintour, follows Australian Margaret Zhang’s elevation to editor of Vogue China in February.

Australian-based stylist Megha Kapoor has been appointed editor of Vogue India.Credit:Bowen Arico

It was through Zhang that Kapoor first heard about the prestigious role in April. “Margaret called me out of the blue and mentioned that she had been talking about me to Anna,” Kapoor, 35, said. “It all felt super random.”

After a lengthy interview process with Wintour and Condé Nast executives, Kapoor will start as editor on Monday. “I am effectively editor but the official title is Content Lead. The way that Condé Nast work globally is changing and titles will be working more closely together.”

Born in Punjab, India, Kapoor’s family moved to New Zealand when she was two years old. She then relocated to Australia to study law at Melbourne University before interning at Vogue India.

“I had been unwell, had a career crisis and was all set to start at a top-tier law firm in Melbourne. Instead, I called up the editor of Vogue India and ended up working there as a Condé Nast cadet for something like $100 a month.”

Kapoor returned to Australia, working at Vogue Australia for former editor Kirstie Clements. When Edwina McCann took over as editor in 2012, Kapoor left amid sweeping staff changes and launched the influential Inprint magazine in 2015 which has featured top models Charlee Fraser, Jordan Barrett, Gemma Ward and Hailey Bieber on its cover.

Anna Wintour interviewed Megha Kapoor for the Vogue India role after a tip-off from Vogue China editor Margaret Zhang.Credit:Getty Images

“I think it’s a superlative appointment,” Clements said. “She always had a vision. She would look at things and see how they could be done better. I have taken an interest in her career since she left Vogue.”

“When she started Inprint, Megha was already way ahead of the curve, challenging the system and tackling diversity and inclusivity.”

Kapoor takes over from her former boss Priya Tanna who launched the Mumbai-basedVogue India in 2007. Tanna resigned in May, following Wintour’s appointment to the global editorial position, with Vogue Japan’s editor-in-chief Mitsuko Watanabe also stepping down that month after 13 years in the role.

“What I am really excited about is the prospect to be a champion and foster the diverse, rich and talented wealth of talent emerging from India,” Kapoor said. “I want to showcase the beauty of the entire subcontinent with Sri Lanka, Nepal and the 36 million Indians who currently don’t live in India and have a similar experience to mine.”

Taking over Vogue India, which has an estimated readership of 105,000 and 7 million followers on social media, Kapoor joins the swelling ranks of Australians infiltrating leading roles in fashion media. Along with Zhang, who made her debut with Vogue China’s September issue, Australian-born Laura Brown has been editor-in-chief of InStyle’s US edition since 2016, while Melburnian Adam Baidawi left his position as editor of GQ Middle East in January, after two and a half years, to become deputy global editorial director of the men’s lifestyle brand.

“In Australia we are used to doing things faster and cheaper, not necessarily better,” Clements said. “It’s a small and competitive market so we are agile and nimble. Women like Megha and Margaret are plugged into the rest of the world. They are incredible creators of branded content for luxury fashion, which once looked like the future but is the now.”

Kapoor will begin working from Sydney before making the move to Mumbai. She has flagged a shift away from Vogue India’s focus on celebrities to give the title an update, but will be informed by her experiences in Australian media.

“It’s taught me everything I know,” she said. “It’s a place where you can do anything. You can wear so many hats. You can really achieve something great with the right vision mindset and work ethic. It’s an incredible place to work in the industry if you’re doing it for the right reasons. The great thing is that we live in a global community and the world is watching.”

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