For nearly four decades, Anna Wintour has been the undisputed queen of Vogue. Now, at 75, this iconic figure in the global fashion industry has announced her plans to step down as editor-in-chief of Vogue. While she’s looking for a new head of editorial content for Vogue, it’s not goodbye to her reign; it’s an exciting elevation of her role.
Wintour shared this big news with her team at a meeting on Thursday. The reason for this shift is that her responsibilities have increased significantly in recent years. She now oversees all the publications under the Condé Nast umbrella, which includes American Vogue (affectionately known as “big Vogue”) and its eight international Vogue editions, as well as popular magazines such as Vanity Fair and GQ.
Wintour’s Vision for the Future
Wintour reportedly shared the news with her Vogue staff in a meeting on Thursday.
“Anybody in a creative field knows how essential it is never to stop growing in one’s work,” Wintour told her team. “When I became the editor of Vogue, I was eager to prove to all who might listen that there was a new, exciting way to imagine an American fashion magazine.” She also added, “Now, I find that my greatest pleasure is helping the next generation of impassioned editors storm the field with their own ideas, supported by a new, exciting view of what a major media company can be.”
Under this new setup, the incoming head of editorial content for American Vogue will report directly to Wintour, who will hold the title of global editorial director of Vogue. Plus, she’ll continue as the chief content officer for Condé Nast, the parent company.
An End to Rumors and a Look Ahead
For years, whispers have circulated about when the fashion industry’s ultimate leader might step down from one of its most influential publications. However, instead of stepping aside, Wintour has gained even more influence. Roger Lynch, the CEO of Condé Nast, mentioned in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that Wintour has been juggling three jobs since 2020. “This will enable her to make time for everyone who needs her,” he said, referring to her decision to step back from the daily operations of American Vogue.
While this move frees up Wintour, it may also suggest that Condé Nast is considering what the company will look like after Wintour eventually transitions from her full-time roles.
Wintour’s Enduring Legacy
Wintour first joined American Vogue in 1988, after a successful stint as editor of British Vogue (she’s a British native). Her very first issue in November 1988 caused quite a stir, featuring model Michaela Bercu in a mix of high-end Christian Lacroix and affordable Guess jeans – a bold statement about “high fashion” at the time.
She was instrumental in the rise of supermodels and championed new trends, such as grunge. Wintour also famously changed Vogue’s cover strategy, featuring a blend of models and celebrities, from Oprah Winfrey and Madonna to Kim Kardashian.
Her powerful image was immortalized by the Hollywood movie The Devil Wears Prada, where Meryl Streep played a fictionalized version of Wintour, solidifying her reputation as a powerful and sometimes “icy” perfectionist. Documentaries like The September Issue also delved into her world.
Beyond the magazine, Wintour transformed the Metropolitan Museum of Art‘s annual Costume Institute fundraiser into the fashion world’s equivalent of the Oscars; a massive, star-studded event renowned for its extravagant outfits, which generate significant funds for both the Costume Institute and the magazine.
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