This week on the show, editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest Amy Astley reflects on her path from aspiring ballerina to journalist to leading some of the most influential publications in fashion and design, including Architectural Digest and Teen Vogue. She opens up working alongside Anna Wintour, navigating high-pressure creative environments, learning to trust her instincts, and her thoughts on what it truly means to be a “taste maker.”
Together, Maria and Amy talk about perfectionism, ambition, mentorship, self-doubt, and the pressure women often feel to prove themselves in leadership roles. They also discuss taste, storytelling, social media, creative risk-taking, and why curiosity may be the most important skill of all.
All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough.
Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA.
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00:00:00 Intro: Redefining Taste in a Borderless World
00:02:18 The "Dutiful Daughter" Archetype in Business
00:04:00 Ballet Beginnings: Learning Discipline and Letting Go
00:08:24 Career Lessons from Anna Wintour
00:10:04 The Power of Saying "Yes" and Taking Opportunities
00:12:44 Transforming Architectural Digest
00:14:14 The Mission Behind Teen Vogue
00:17:15 The Strategy Behind Magazine Covers
00:23:18 The Digital Evolution of Legacy Media
00:28:48 Pretty Tough Tips: Visualization for Success
00:33:55 The "Open Door" Series: Connecting Through Content
00:43:24 Facing the Future: AI in Publishing
00:51:57 Moving Beyond the "Tastemaker" Label
00:55:00 Integrating Personal Life and Professional Practice
01:00:17 NYC Design Recommendations
01:04:12 Pretty Tough Questions: Lessons, Routines, and Perfectionism
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