Anna Wintour Steps Down as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue

After nearly four decades at the helm of American Vogue, Anna Wintour is stepping down from her iconic role as editor-in-chief, marking the end of an era in fashion publishing.

A Transformative Legacy

Wintour, who assumed the top editorial position at Vogue in 1988, is widely credited with transforming the magazine into a global trendsetter and a powerful force in the fashion industry. Her leadership revitalized Vogue’s image and influenced the careers of countless designers, shaping the broader cultural conversation around style and celebrity. Her first cover, featuring Israeli model Michaela Bercu in stonewashed jeans, famously broke with tradition and signaled a new, more daring direction for the magazine.

Transition and Continued Influence

Despite stepping down as editor-in-chief, Wintour will not be leaving Condé Nast. She will retain her roles as chief content officer for Condé Nast and global editorial director for Vogue, overseeing the brand’s international content and the editorial direction of multiple publications, including Vanity Fair, GQ, Glamour, and Allure. As global chief content officer, she supervises all editorial divisions within the company, except The New Yorker.

The search is now underway for a new “head of editorial content” at American Vogue—a newly created position that will take over the day-to-day operations of the magazine. This change is part of a broader organizational restructuring at Condé Nast, aligning U.S. Vogue with the company’s global editorial framework.

Impact and Recognition

Wintour’s influence extends far beyond the pages of Vogue. She is the driving force behind the annual Met Gala, fashion’s most prestigious event and a major fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Her philanthropic efforts have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the arts. In January 2025, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

What’s Next for Vogue and Wintour

While Wintour will step back from the daily editorial operations of American Vogue, her continued oversight as global editorial director ensures her vision will remain central to the magazine’s future. The appointment of a new head of editorial content is expected to usher in a new chapter for the publication, with industry watchers keenly awaiting the next evolution of the “fashion bible.”

During her tenure as editor-in-chief, Wintour revolutionized the magazine, transforming it from a less daring publication into a significant force capable of both shaping and dismantling trends and designers alike.

As the fashion world reacts to this seismic change, Anna Wintour’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in media and style is firmly cemented, even as she steps into a new phase of her storied career.