After nearly four decades at the helm, Dame Anna Wintour is stepping back as editor-in-chief of Vogue‘s American edition, bringing an era to a close for one of the most powerful women in fashion.
The 75-year-old British-born editor made the announcement on Thursday, telling staff that a new head of editorial content would be appointed to lead Vogue in the US.
But Wintour isn’t going far.
She’ll remain Vogue’s global editorial director and continue as chief content officer at publishing giant Condé Nast, roles she has held in recent years as part of the company’s wider digital and international overhaul.
“I want to help the next generation of impassioned editors storm the field with their own ideas,” she said, according to an internal note seen by Condé Nast staff.
And in a line that drew knowing smiles from longtime colleagues, she added: “It goes without saying that I plan to remain Vogue’s tennis and theatre editor in perpetuity.”
A Legacy Woven Into Fashion History
Wintour’s influence stretches well beyond the pages of the glossy magazine. She joined American Vogue as editor-in-chief in 1988, after a stint leading British Vogue, and swiftly redefined what fashion journalism could be. She championed fresh faces, styled designer gowns with high street clothes, and brought political and cultural figures onto the cover making fashion part of the wider conversation.
Under her watch, Vogue became not just a magazine but a cultural force.
“She changed the game completely,” said fashion historian Valerie Steele. “She had an eye for the moment and knew how to turn Vogue into a brand that shaped the global fashion narrative.”
Wintour’s sharp bob and ever-present sunglasses made her instantly recognisable. But her work behind the scenes may leave the deeper mark.
Since 1995, she’s also been the guiding hand behind the Met Gala, transforming it from a modest fundraiser into fashion’s most-watched red carpet spectacle.
Beyond the Page
Honoured as a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017 for services to fashion and journalism, Wintour was made a Companion of Honour earlier this year by King Charles. When asked by the monarch whether she would ever consider slowing down, Wintour reportedly replied “firmly no.”
In a 2023 interview with the BBC, she admitted her trademark sunglasses were more than just a fashion statement: “They help me see and help me not see.”
Pop culture has long speculated about her steely reputation, most famously through the fictional Miranda Priestly, the imperious magazine boss in The Devil Wears Prada, said to be inspired by Wintour. The novel’s author, Lauren Weisberger, was once her assistant.
Yet those who have worked closely with her often describe a more nuanced figure demanding, yes, but fiercely loyal to the brand and those she believes in.
What Comes Next
Condé Nast has not yet named Wintour’s successor at Vogue US. The new head of editorial content is expected to steer the American edition with a more localised vision, while Wintour continues to shape strategy across the global network.
“She’s not leaving fashion,” said one senior Condé Nast executive. “She’s just opening the door wider for what comes next.”
