Grace Coddington doesn't just style pictures, she builds worlds. In this rare and unfiltered conversation, the legendary creative director sits down with Jill and longtime friend Karen Mulligan to talk about the images that defined her and the ones that almost broke her.
From her early modeling days and Beatrix Miller's British Vogue to the Anna Wintour era in New York, Grace reflects on a career shaped by instinct, irreverence, and one very iconic hairdo. She revisits the chaos of the Wizard of Oz shoot with Keira Knightley, the comic genius of Ben Stiller's Funny Face spoof, and the time Sean “Diddy” Combs and Kate Moss tested her patience (and her vision) on set.
She goes deep on her collaborations with Steven Klein, Peter Lindbergh, and Annie Leibovitz, breaking down the creative friction, trust, and unspoken language behind some of Vogue's most unforgettable fashion stories.
Now in her "post-Vogue" chapter, Grace opens up about drawing, pottery, Louis Vuitton, and why she'll never stop telling stories through style. This is Grace Coddington like you've never heard her: intimate, hilarious, and still rogue after all these years.
Follow on Instagram and Threads at @goingrogue.podcast and @jilldemling
Follow on Bluesky
Follow on TikTok
Send us your questions or comments by calling us at 518-21-ROGUE
Going Rogue is produced by Jill Demling and Maddie Kelly, who also serves as our social media director. Matty Rosenberg is the executive producer Be sure to follow Going Rogue on your favorite podcast platform.
Going Rogue is part of the Radio Free Rhinecliff media network.
--------
2:03:51
--------
2:03:51
Mark Healy: Inside Condé Nast's Golden Era
Jill visits with Mark Healy, an experienced editor and writer recognized for his sharp insights into media influence and power dynamics. Together, Jill and Mark reminisce about their days at Condé Nast during what many regard as the company's golden age. They reflect on Condé Nast's unmistakable company ethos, from its unwritten codes of conduct like elevator silence to the subtle markers of hierarchy and achievement. They also trace Mark's career trajectory beginning with his early role at Playboy through his transformative work at Details and GQ, where he helped reshape both magazines' identities. Mark shares how Details positioned itself as GQ's rebellious counterpart, embracing a grittier, more youthful aesthetic. They delve into major industry transformations, particularly how digital media and the shift from model-focused to celebrity-driven covers revolutionized publishing. Following his Condé Nast years, Mark describes his transition to Men's Journal and subsequent projects, stressing how vital flexibility has become in today's media environment. Mark explains his latest project, 'The Nasty,' a short oral history podcast of Condé Nast through candid interviews with former staffers.
Follow on Instagram and Threads at @goingrogue.podcast and @jilldemling
Follow on Bluesky
Follow on TikTok
Send us your questions or comments by calling us at 518-21-ROGUE
Going Rogue is produced by Jill Demling and Maddie Kelly, who also serves as our social media director. Matty Rosenberg is the executive producer Be sure to follow Going Rogue on your favorite podcast platform.
Going Rogue is part of the Radio Free Rhinecliff media network.
--------
1:01:28
--------
1:01:28
Behind the Scenes with Mary Howard: Fashion's Master Set Designer
Jill is joined by Mary Howard, a renowned set and production designer celebrated for crafting captivating, detailed environments for top fashion photographers. Mary traces her unconventional path from junior tennis player and art student in New Orleans to working alongside industry legends like Annie Leibovitz, Steven Meisel, and Steven Klein. She reveals her creative methodology for bringing conceptual visions to life in three dimensions, emphasizing how every small element matters in her designs. Mary reflects on formative experiences building elaborate Mardi Gras floats and working on the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, which developed her production expertise. She recounts standout Vogue projects including the Edith Wharton series, Romeo and Juliet shoot, and a 'Shape of Water'-inspired shoot featuring Mia Goth, describing the complexities of coordinating intricate sets alongside animals and props. Looking ahead, Mary weighs in on how AI might reshape set design while offering guidance to newcomers in the field, stressing the value of flexibility, modesty, and genuine enthusiasm for the craft.
Follow on Instagram and Threads at @goingrogue.podcast and @jilldemling
Follow on Bluesky
Follow on TikTok
Send us your questions or comments by calling us at 518-21-ROGUE
Going Rogue is produced by Jill Demling and Maddie Kelly, who also serves as our social media director. Matty Rosenberg is the executive producer Be sure to follow Going Rogue on your favorite podcast platform.
Going Rogue is part of the Radio Free Rhinecliff media network.
--------
56:23
--------
56:23
Stars, Stages, and Awkward Interviews: Adam Green's Tales
Adam Green joins Jill to explore his evolution from screenwriter to Vogue's acclaimed theater critic. As the son of Broadway royalty Phyllis Newman and Adolf Green, he brings unique perspective to profiling entertainment's biggest names. Green shares intimate glimpses from his celebrity interviews, including a cringe-worthy childhood memory involving Bernadette Peters, the surreal experience of questioning Cate Blanchett during an eccentric theatrical production, and the complexities of a challenging sit-down with Vanessa Redgrave. The conversation takes a playful turn as Jill prompts Adam to evaluate how Hollywood stars like Amanda Peet, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Sienna Miller fared in their Broadway debuts. Throughout the interview, Green dispenses wisdom for emerging writers, stressing the value of networking, seizing unexpected chances, and finding the sweet spot between maintaining professional boundaries and fostering genuine rapport with interview subjects. His unvarnished observations provide equal parts amusement and professional counsel, informed by extensive experience at the crossroads of journalism and entertainment.
Follow on Instagram and Threads at @goingrogue.podcast and @jilldemling
Follow on Bluesky
Follow on TikTok
Send us your questions or comments by calling us at 518-21-ROGUE
Going Rogue is produced by Jill Demling and Maddie Kelly, who also serves as our social media director. Matty Rosenberg is the executive producer Be sure to follow Going Rogue on your favorite podcast platform.
Going Rogue is part of the Radio Free Rhinecliff media network.
--------
1:31:10
--------
1:31:10
Creating Change in Fashion with Gabriella Karefa-Johnson
Jill chats with fashion stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, a fashion force who’s made it her mission to shake up the industry from the inside out. Gabriella shares her journey at Vogue from working as associate fashion editor for fashion director Tonne Goodman to becoming the first Black woman to style a Vogue cover in January of 2021 with her styling of model Paloma Elsesser. Her distinctive approach, which is layered, joyful, and purposeful, emphasizes support for emerging designers and size inclusivity, though her outspoken advocacy has led to industry conflicts.
They delve into Gabriella's roots in Ojai, California, her grandparents' formative influence, and her time at Barnard College. She recounts pivotal internships that launched her fashion career, including roles at Elle Magazine and as an assistant to Hamish Bowles at Vogue. Gabriella candidly discusses Vogue's internal culture, her concerns about being sidelined due to her background, and her authentic bond with mentor Tonne, who profoundly shaped her career trajectory.
The episode highlights Gabriela's 2021 comeback to Vogue as Global Contributing Fashion Editor at Large, where she influenced iconic covers featuring Serena Williams, Paloma Elsesser, Kamala Harris, and others. She explains her departure from Vogue, driven by self-belief and a commitment to creating meaningful change while paving the way for future generations. The discussion includes some behind-the-scenes anecdotes from major photo shoots, Gabriella's talent-centered approach, and her perspective on the industry's persistent lack of diverse representation.
Follow on Instagram and Threads at @goingrogue.podcast and @jilldemling
Follow on Bluesky
Follow on TikTok
Send us your questions or comments by calling us at 518-21-ROGUE
Welcome to the ultimate insider's guide to the world of fashion, celebrity, and media—straight from the heart of Vogue.
I’m Jill Demling and for nearly two decades I was the Entertainment Director of Vogue. I've booked over 200 American Vogue covers, 30 covers for British Vogue, and more than 50 covers worldwide. That's nearly 300 covers that shaped pop culture, defined fashion, and captured the zeitgeist. But those perfect images? They're just the tip of the iceberg.
"Going Rogue" is your backstage pass to the moments that never made it to print. The stories from the photographers who captured magic, the stylists who created iconic looks, and the writers who know every secret. You'll hear about the celebrities, the shoots that almost didn't happen, and the untold drama behind fashion's most memorable moments.
Remember "The Devil Wears Prada"? That fictional 11-month snapshot? I was there for the real story—I even hired the person the book was based on and appear on page 21 of the book. But this isn't about one story. It's about hundreds of stories, from someone who was on the inside. This podcast is not an exposé, it's a celebration of the brilliant people behind the scenes that made all the famous moments possible at Vogue.
It isn't just a podcast about fashion. It's about creativity, ambition, art, and the human stories behind the images that helped define a generation. We'll reveal how the talents behind these shoots got their start, and they'll share masterclass-level advice for a new generation of stylists, photographers, and creatives looking to make their mark. We're going behind the scenes of a world most people only glimpse through glossy pages and red carpet moments.
Are you ready to go rogue with me?
UK