After nearly four decades at the helm, Anna Wintour is stepping down as the editor-in-chief of U.S. Vogue. The news marks the end of an extraordinary era for the iconic fashion magazine and signals a significant shift in the publishing landscape. While Wintour is transitioning from the daily editorial oversight of the U.S. edition, she is not leaving Condé Nast. She will retain her powerful roles as Global Editorial Director of Vogue and Chief Content Officer for Condé Nast globally, overseeing content strategy across the company’s extensive portfolio, including titles like GQ, Wired, and Tatler, and all international Vogue editions.
This strategic shift, announced to staff as part of Condé Nast’s global restructuring, positions Wintour to focus on broader influence and global strategy, including her continued leadership of major events like the Met Gala. Her successor at American Vogue will fill a newly created “Head of Editorial Content” role and report directly to Wintour, ensuring her influence remains significant.
A Revolution from Day One: The Wintour Legacy
Anna Wintour’s tenure began with a deliberate challenge to tradition. Her very first U.S. Vogue cover in October 1988 featured Israeli model Michaela Bercu. Dressed in a Christian Lacroix couture jacket paired unexpectedly with jeans, smiling outdoors on the street rather than posed elegantly in a studio, the image was so unconventional that the printers questioned if a mistake had been made.
Wintour herself described the cover as looking “easy, casual, a moment that had been snapped on the street… which was the whole point.” This seemingly simple image signaled a revolution at the magazine, moving away from stiff formality towards a more relaxed, approachable aesthetic. Having been brought in after two years leading British Vogue precisely to “shake things up,” Wintour was tasked with ensuring the magazine didn’t lose its edge heading into the 1990s.
Shaping Culture Beyond the Pages
Over 37 years, Wintour successfully navigated Vogue through seismic cultural shifts. She steered the magazine from the era of supermodels and grunge through Noughties celebrity culture, reality TV, and ultimately, into the digital age of social media.
Key to her transformative leadership were:
Pioneering Celebrity Covers: Experts credit Wintour with being the first to consistently place major celebrities on the cover, starting with Madonna in her first year. This move blurred the lines between fashion and entertainment, positioning popular culture firmly beneath the prestigious Vogue banner.
“Democratising” Fashion: As stylist Marian Kwei noted, Wintour helped transition fashion from an elite, insular world into a global, cultural industry that felt more approachable, like “a party that everybody else was invited to.”
Championing Emerging Talent: A significant part of her legacy is her unwavering support for young designers. She co-founded the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2003, which has provided crucial mentorship and funding to countless rising American talents. She also initiated retail initiatives like Fashion’s Night Out.
Elevating “Brands”: Commentators observe that Wintour possessed a unique ability to elevate individuals into cultural “brands” by featuring them on the Vogue cover, citing examples like Ivana Trump, Kim Kardashian, and Lauren Sánchez. She was seen by some as a “high priestess” who could bestow significant cultural capital.
Beyond her editorial vision, Wintour cultivated an instantly recognisable personal image – the bob haircut and trademark sunglasses – which contributed to her enigmatic persona and significant public profile. She became a figure referenced in hip-hop lyrics and famously served as the loose inspiration for Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada.
Navigating Challenges & Criticism
Wintour’s path wasn’t without controversy or significant challenges. She faced protests over wearing fur in the 90s and debated cultural missteps, such as the 2008 LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen cover which sparked discussion about racial stereotypes.
More recently, the rise of digital media and social platforms posed an existential threat to traditional print authority. As Instagram follower counts began to overshadow magazine readership, Wintour had to steer Vogue into the digital age, a transition that drew criticism for its reliance on celebrity content but was deemed vital for maintaining relevance.
The Race to Succeed an Icon
Finding a successor for Anna Wintour at American Vogue is widely considered one of the most challenging roles in fashion publishing, made even more complex by her continued presence and influence within Condé Nast. The incoming Head of Editorial Content will face immense pressure to:
Balance Legacy with Innovation: Honour Vogue‘s storied history and prestige while adapting to the evolving tastes and consumption habits of a younger, digitally-native audience.
Address Critical Industry Issues: Navigate contemporary demands around sustainability, diversity, inclusivity, plagiarism, and labor conditions within the fashion world.
Master the Digital Landscape: Maintain a strong online presence and develop content across multiple platforms, from video and podcasts to emerging digital formats.
While Condé Nast has not officially named a replacement, industry speculation is rife. Potential candidates bring diverse experience, from traditional print success to digital expertise and close ties to Wintour:
Chioma Nnadi: Currently the editor of British Vogue (the first Black woman in that senior role), Nnadi is seen by many as a leading contender. A Wintour protégé, she has extensive experience with the American edition and is credited with a praised inclusive approach and boosting digital traffic at British Vogue.
Amy Astley: Editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest, Astley is highly respected within Condé Nast. Wintour personally selected her to launch and lead Teen Vogue, where she guided significant digital growth. Her blend of print leadership and digital experience makes her a strong internal candidate.
Eva Chen: Director of Fashion Partnerships for Instagram, Chen’s deep digital expertise is invaluable in today’s media climate. A regular at fashion events like the Met Gala, her understanding of social media engagement positions her as a strong possibility, particularly for navigating the digital challenges.
Other names mentioned in speculation include former Teen Vogue editor Elaine Welteroth, The Cut’s Lindsay Peoples Wagner, former Vogue editor Kate Betts (despite a reportedly strained past with Wintour), Vogue‘s senior editor Chloe Schama, Vogue.com editor Chloe Malle, and potentially even Wintour’s daughter, film producer Bee Shaffer Carrozzini.
Many industry insiders believe Wintour herself will play a significant role in selecting her successor, ensuring her vision for Vogue continues in some form under new leadership.
The Next Chapter
Anna Wintour’s step back as editor-in-chief marks the closing of a legendary chapter for American Vogue. While she remains a global powerhouse within Condé Nast, the daily reins of the U.S. edition will pass to new hands. The next leader will inherit not only a powerful platform but also the immense task of steering the magazine through fashion’s ever-evolving cultural landscape, balancing Wintour’s unparalleled legacy with the urgent need for fresh vision and innovation. The industry watches keenly to see who will step into those famously influential shoes.
