Dame Anna Wintour, a titan of the fashion industry whose influence has shaped trends and careers for decades, is stepping back from her role as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue after an extraordinary 37-year tenure. The news, announced to staff on Thursday, June 26, 2025, marks a significant organizational shift for the flagship U.S. fashion publication.
However, this is not a departure from the Condé Nast empire. Wintour, 75, will retain her powerful positions as Vogue‘s global editorial director and Condé Nast’s chief content officer. In these expanded roles, which she has held since 2020, she oversees the content strategy and direction for all of Condé Nast’s brands worldwide, including Vanity Fair, GQ, Wired, and numerous international editions of Vogue.
A Strategic Shift and New Structure
The transition involves the creation of a new position: Head of Editorial Content for American Vogue. This individual will assume the day-to-day editorial leadership of the U.S. magazine and will report directly to Wintour in her global capacity. This move aligns American Vogue with a global reporting structure that Condé Nast began implementing across its publications in 2021.
According to a company account, Wintour explained her decision by stating she wants to support “the next generation of impassioned editors storm the field with their own ideas” and dedicate more focus to her extensive global responsibilities across Condé Nast’s diverse portfolio. She also humorously added that she plans to continue as “Vogue’s tennis and theatre editor in perpetuity,” signaling her ongoing personal interests and influence within the publication.
An Unparalleled Legacy at American Vogue
Wintour took the helm of American Vogue in 1988, having previously edited British Vogue. Her impact was immediate and transformative. She is widely credited with revitalizing the magazine, infusing it with a dynamic mix of high fashion and accessibility that resonated with a broader audience.
Pioneering Vision: Her very first cover in November 1988, featuring Israeli model Michaela Bercu in a striking juxtaposition of a Christian Lacroix haute couture sweater and a pair of Guess jeans, photographed by Peter Lindbergh, broke traditional norms and signaled a new direction for the magazine – one that embraced both luxury and reality.
Celebrity Culture: Wintour was a key force in popularizing the use of celebrities on magazine covers, strategically featuring A-list stars like Oprah Winfrey and Madonna alongside supermodels, a practice that has since become standard across the industry.
Cultural Relevance: Throughout her tenure, Vogue covers under Wintour consistently reflected and sometimes drove cultural conversations, from featuring Michelle Obama to the noteworthy Kim Kardashian and Kanye West cover in 2014, which was groundbreaking for its inclusion of an interracial couple, a reality TV star, and a rapper on the cover.
Beyond the Page: Influence and Persona
Wintour’s influence extended far beyond the printed pages of American Vogue.
Met Gala Transformation: Since taking charge in 1995, she transformed the annual Met Gala from a high-society fundraiser into a global, themed, celebrity-studded red carpet event that serves as a major platform for fashion and a significant fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
Talent Cultivation: She actively championed emerging designers through initiatives like the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, established in 2004, and cultivated the careers of many prominent editors and creative talents within the industry.
Iconic Image: Known for her distinctive bob haircut and signature dark sunglasses, Wintour herself became an instantly recognizable figure in pop culture. Her demanding and powerful presence at the magazine is widely believed to have inspired the character of Miranda Priestly in the novel The Devil Wears Prada, written by her former assistant. Wintour notably attended the film’s premiere wearing Prada, acknowledging the connection.
Honors and Continued Commitment
Recognized for her immense contributions to fashion and journalism, Wintour was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017 and a Companion of Honour by King Charles III earlier this year.
Despite stepping back from the direct editorship of American Vogue, Wintour has consistently indicated her intention to remain active in her career. Earlier this year, she reportedly told King Charles III “firmly no” when he inquired if she would retire. This transition reinforces her commitment to continue shaping the media landscape, focusing her considerable energy and vision on the global strategy for Vogue and the entire Condé Nast portfolio.
The search for the new Head of Editorial Content for American Vogue is now underway, marking the end of one era for the iconic magazine and the continuation of Anna Wintour’s impactful legacy in a broader global context.
