From magazines to fashion-tech – Maghan McDowell

As a CJC student, Maghan McDowell gained a passion for magazine writing, even earning the nickname “Magazine McDowell” from Professor Ted Spiker. “While the industry changed dramatically after I graduated thanks to the takeover of the internet age, many of the lessons from classes like Magazine Management still apply, in terms of writing headlines, crafting personalities for publications, researching audiences, etc,” McDowell explained.

McDowell graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism with a specialty in magazine writing and a minor in art history. She wasn’t ready to leave Gainesville and stayed to work for regional publishing company Broad Beach Media, after a referral from Spiker. There she picked up experience in editing, design, hiring and management as she helped develop the company’s web and social media presence. She led a push to hire student journalists, photographers and designers, many of whom went on to have impressive careers in the industry.

“Although I got a glimpse of the golden age of magazines when I interned at Marie Claire as an undergrad, I’m a little sad I missed that experience,” said McDowell.

In 2012, McDowell left Gainesville to move to California and work as a fashion reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. She then took a job at Women’s Wear Daily, widely considered the bible for the fashion industry. She was among the first to cover Silicon Valley developments like Amazon’s private-label clothing, the Apple Watch, Instagram livestreams and Snapchat’s smart glasses.

Then, in 2019, she moved to London to work at Condé Nast, where she helped found Vogue Business and became its founding innovation editor.

She spent the next six years traveling the U.S. and Europe, building the brand while continuing to report on the latest tech news like digital fashion and the metaverse. While she still contributes to Vogue Business, she took a step back from the company in 2025 and now primarily works on freelance and personal creative projects.

“I think I finally achieved the goal of becoming known as one of the best fashion-tech journalists in the world,” she said. “It took a decade, but I’m proud of the reputation and network I fostered, especially for someone who was never drawn to tech in the first place.”

This profile was featured in the 2026 Dean’s Report.

Category: Alumni Profiles, College News, Profiles
Tagged: Alumni Dean’s Report 2026 Journalism
Subscribe to our News Digest