Nast, Condé, 1873-1942 (1873-1942)
Dates
- Existence: 1873-1942
Biography
The founder of Condé Nast Publications, Condé Montrose Nast was born in New York City in 1873. Despite his legal education, Nast took a job in publishing, as the advertising manager for an American magazine, Collier's Weekly. Among his other publishing interests, Nast was Vice President of the Home Pattern Company, a manufacturer and distributer of women’s dress patterns. Here, he became knowledgeable about women’s fashion and women’s magazines, and subsequently in 1909 went on to purchase Vogue. Founded in the US in 1892, by Arthur Baldwin Turnure, Vogue was a weekly society magazine, which recorded social events and offered guidance on etiquette, including advice on what to wear for such occasions. Nast transformed the publication into a bimonthly women’s fashion magazine. Commercially, Nast recognized the value of Vogue readers as an influential and affluent audience and pursued high-end advertisers willing to pay extra to reach them. Similarly aware that Vogue readers demanded the highest editorial quality and standards, he hired the best illustrators and photographers to create attractive, stimulating content focusing on fashion. Vogue flourished and within a year under his management, subscriptions doubled, newsstand sales tripled and the magazine was carrying 44% more advertising pages than its closest competitor. In his lifetime Nast was known as one who always originated, a champion of excellence and innovation.
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Condé Nast Christmas prints
This collection holds prints reproduced from original 18th century French paintings in the private collection of publisher Condé Nast. Prints accompanied by text designating them as tokens of his Christmas greetings, signed by Condé Nast. Paintings reproduced: "Portrait of Mme. Favart" by Charles André Van Loo, 1705-1765, "Les Deux Amies" by Jean Frédéric Schall, 1752-1825 and "La Résistance Inutile" by Jean Frédéric Schall, 1752-1825.