''Architectural Digest'' is an American monthly

magazine A magazine is a periodical publication, generally published on a regular schedule (often weekly or monthly), containing a variety of content. They are generally financed by advertising, purchase price, prepaid subscriptions, or by a combinatio ...

founded in 1920. Its principal subjects are

interior design Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. An interior designer is someone who plans, researches, coordin ...

and landscaping, rather than pure external

architecture Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing buildings ...

. The magazine is published by

Condé Nast Condé Nast () is a global mass media company founded in 1909 by Condé Montrose Nast, and owned by Advance Publications. Its headquarters are located at One World Trade Center in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. The company's m ...

, which also publishes international editions of ''Architectural Digest'' in Italy, China, France, Germany, India, Spain, Mexico/Latin America and the Middle East ''Architectural Digest'' is aimed at an affluent and style-conscious readership, and is subtitled "The International Design Authority." The magazine releases the annual AD100 list, which recognizes the most influential interior designers and architects around the world. ''Architectural Digest'' also hosts a popular online video series entitled ''Open Door'' that gives an in-depth look at the unique homes of various prominent celebrities and public figures.

History

Originally a quarterly trade directory called ''The Architectural Digest: A Pictorial Digest of California's Best Architecture'', the magazine was launched in 1920 by John Coke Brasfield (1880–1962). Brasfield, born in Tennessee, moved to southern California in the early 1900s, where he founded the John C. Brasfield Publishing Corporation in Los Angeles. Interiors and exteriors of residences were featured in the magazine, along with floor plans. By 1963, the magazine's subtitle had been altered to ''A Pictorial Digest of Outstanding Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscaping'', and it began publishing on a bimonthly schedule. In 1965, ''The Architectural Digest'' and its publishing company were purchased by Cleon T. Knapp, who was the magazine's "jack-of-all-trades" and Brasfield's grandson. Knapp son of Brasfield's daughter Sarah "Sally" Brasfield Knapp (1910–1996), who served, at various times, as the magazine's editor in chief, managing editor, and associate publisher. The magazine's subtitle was altered to ''The Quality Guide to Home Decorating Ideas'' in 1966, and was changed again, in 1971, to ''The Connoisseur's Magazine of Fine Interior Design'', and in 1976 to ''The International Magazine of Fine Interior Design''. The John C. Brasfield Publishing Company was renamed Knapp Communications Corporation in 1977. Condé Nast Publications purchased ''Architectural Digest'', as well as its sister publication ''

Bon Appétit ''Bon Appétit'' is a monthly American food and entertaining magazine, that typically contains recipes, entertaining ideas, restaurant recommendations, and wine reviews. Owned by Condé Nast, it is headquartered at the One World Trade Center i ...

'', from Knapp in 1993. In 2011 the Chinese version of the magazine, ''AD China'', was launched. The magazine is also published in other countries, including

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwee ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

and

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...

. Architectural Digest won the 2020 Webby People’s Voice Award for Architecture & Design in the category Web. ''Architectural Digest'' employees

unionized A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ( ...

in 2022. Also in 2022 Architectural Digest Russia closed after Condé Nast pulled out of Russia.

Editors in chief

*John C. Brasfield, 1920–1960 *(James) Bradley Little 1960–1965; a former interior designer, who served as editorial director and editor in chief from 1964 until his death in 1971. *Cleon T. Knapp, 1965–1974 (also served as publisher during the same period) *

Paige Rense Paige Rense, also known as Paige Rense Noland (May 4, 1929 – January 1, 2021) was an American writer and editor who served as editor-in-chief of ''Architectural Digest'' magazine from 1975 until 2010. She founded the Arthur Rense Prize poetry ...

, 1975–2010; she previously served as the magazine's associate editor, 1968–1971, and its executive editor, 1971–1975. * Margaret Russell, 2010–2016 * Amy Astley, 2016–present Since the 2010 change in leadership, the magazine has seen a shift towards featuring lighter, more open interiors, brighter photography, and a modern graphic style.

References

External links

* {{Advance Publications Visual arts magazines published in the United States Monthly magazines published in the United States Quarterly magazines published in the United States Architecture magazines Condé Nast magazines Magazines established in 1920 Magazines published in New York City Design magazines