How a fashion icon pivoted from print to digital-only existence
In short: Founded in 1994, InStyle once defined women's fashion through glossy print pages. However, changing media landscapes and shifting consumer habits forced a radical transformation. From banning fur to exiting the print market entirely, the magazine's journey reflects the broader evolution of the modern media industry.
InStyle began its journey in 1994 as a brand extension of People magazine, eventually establishing its own distinct identity. For decades, it served as a comprehensive guide for women, covering diverse topics ranging from beauty and fashion to feminism, philanthropy, and celebrity lifestyles. Its influence extended globally, with international editions appearing in markets such as Germany and Australia.
The magazine has also acted as a platform for social change. In 2018, InStyle made history by becoming the first major fashion publication to implement a total ban on photography and advertisements featuring fur. This decision, which received support from the organization PETA, was intended to highlight the animal cruelty inherent in fur production and to discourage consumer demand for the material.
The landscape for print media shifted dramatically in the early 2020s. In July 2020, the Australian edition of InStyle was slated for closure by Bauer Media Australia and New Zealand, a move attributed to declining advertising revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Australian title eventually returned in 2022 under True North Media, the American flagship faced a different fate.
Following its acquisition by Dotdash Meredith in 2021, the magazine's direction was fundamentally altered. In February 2022, it was announced that InStyle would transition to a digital-only format. The April 2022 issue marked its final print publication, as CEO Neil Vogel noted that print was no longer serving the brand's core purpose. This move signaled a permanent shift in how the brand engages with its audience in a digital-first era.
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