Anna Wintour, the legendary figure synonymous with American Vogue, is embarking on a significant strategic shift within Condé Nast, leading to a search for a new Head of Editorial Content (HOEC) to oversee the US edition’s daily operations. Wintour announced this development to Vogue staff on June 26, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the iconic fashion publication.
While stepping back from the day-to-day direction of US Vogue after a remarkable 37-year tenure at its helm (having taken over from Grace Mirabella in 1988), Wintour is not departing Condé Nast. She will retain her powerful overarching roles as Chief Content Officer for the global media giant and Global Editorial Director for Vogue worldwide.
Expanded Global Influence Requires New Structure
This restructuring is a direct result of Wintour’s vastly expanded responsibilities over the past four years. As Chief Content Officer, her remit now covers the editorial direction for nearly all of Condé Nast’s global brands, a vast portfolio that includes influential titles like WIRED, Vanity Fair, GQ, AD, Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, Bon Appétit, Tatler, World of Interiors, Allure, Teen Vogue, Ars Technica, and Them. The New Yorker remains a notable exception.
The introduction of a dedicated HOEC for US Vogue will provide Wintour with crucial time and flexibility to support these extensive global markets. The new HOEC will lead the US magazine’s daily operations across all platforms and will report directly to Wintour, a reporting structure that aligns with the editorial heads of Vogue‘s international editions, a model implemented across the company since 2021.
Wintour’s Vision: Nurturing the Next Generation
Addressing her staff, Wintour framed the change as essential for creative growth. Reflecting on her own career trajectory, from seeking “a new, exciting way to imagine an American fashion magazine” when she first became editor, she stated that her “greatest pleasure” now lies in “helping the next generation of impassioned editors storm the field with their own ideas.”
She emphasized the need for a HOEC who can bring “a new, exciting view of what a major media company can be,” someone who will “challenge us, inspire us, and make us all think about Vogue in a myriad of original ways.” This signals a strategic intent to inject fresh perspectives into the flagship US edition while Wintour provides high-level direction.
A Legacy That Reshaped Fashion Media
Wintour’s impact during her nearly four-decade leadership of US Vogue is monumental. Often called the “first lady of fashion,” she transformed Vogue from a focus primarily on insular fashion circles and models to one that integrated celebrity, politics, and high style, popularizing the now-standard practice of featuring celebrities on covers (including figures like Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, and Kim Kardashian).
She held immense power as a “kingmaker,” championing and elevating designers like John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Marc Jacobs. Her initiatives included launching Teen Vogue in 2003, navigating the digital transformation of the brand, and notably transforming the Met Gala into one of the world’s most significant and glamorous red-carpet events, a role she has co-chaired since 1995. Her demanding reputation is so prominent that she is widely believed to be the inspiration for the formidable character Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada,” solidifying her image as a powerful and sometimes intimidating tastemaker.
Maintaining Key Oversight
Despite the new HOEC appointment, Wintour confirmed that many of her core responsibilities related to Vogue will remain constant. This includes paying close attention to the fashion industry, overseeing the Met Gala, charting the course for future Vogue Worlds, and developing other original ideas.
The Future of American Vogue
The search for a new editorial lead for US Vogue arrives at a critical juncture for the magazine. The incoming HOEC will inherit not just a publication often referred to as the “fashion Bible,” but a cultural institution that must balance its immense legacy with the need for innovation in a rapidly evolving media landscape, where digital platforms significantly influence trends.
This transition marks the first time in almost 40 years that the daily operations of US Vogue will not be under Wintour’s direct operational control. The choice of successor and the direction they take will be crucial in defining how Vogue continues to lead the global fashion conversation into the future, even as Anna Wintour’s influence continues to shape Condé Nast’s content strategy on a worldwide scale.
