.jpg)
Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue and one of the most powerful figures in global fashion, is stepping down from her post at American Vogue after nearly four decades. At 75, Wintour is handing over the reins of the iconic title she transformed into the ultimate fashion authority — marking the end of an era that reshaped the editorial and commercial landscape of style publishing.
Though she is relinquishing her role at Vogue U.S., Wintour will continue in her broader capacity as Condé Nast’s Chief Content Officer and Vogue’s Global Editorial Director, overseeing a portfolio of international titles, including Vanity Fair, GQ, Wired, AD, Allure, and others — all except The New Yorker. She will also maintain her leadership of the Met Gala, fashion’s most influential annual event and a vital fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
Breaking Traditions from Day One
Wintour took over Vogue in 1988, succeeding Grace Mirabella. Her very first cover — featuring model Michaela Bercu in a Christian Lacroix couture jacket and faded jeans — disrupted the fashion world. It was the first time denim had appeared on Vogue’s cover, signaling a new editorial direction that would blend high fashion with street sensibility. It was bold, unfiltered, and unmistakably Wintour.
Over the years, she revolutionised fashion media: pushing celebrities onto magazine covers, democratizing style by spotlighting emerging designers like Marc Jacobs, John Galliano, and Alexander McQueen, and predicting cultural shifts long before they became trends.
The Woman Behind the Sunglasses
Wintour’s power has often been inseparable from her image: precision-cut bob, immaculate styling, and always — always — those dark Chanel sunglasses. The eyewear, she once explained, was both armor and tool: “They’re useful because you avoid people knowing what you’re thinking.” The glasses became part of her legend, adding to her mystique and distance, helping her scan rooms and shows with complete opacity.
But the sunglasses were never just a fashion statement. Wintour made headlines again in 2018 when she wore them in front of Queen Elizabeth II during London Fashion Week — reportedly making her the first person to do so.
No Replacement, Just Restructuring
Condé Nast has confirmed that no new editor-in-chief will be appointed for American Vogue. Instead, the publication will now follow the global structure Wintour helped implement across other markets over the past four years. Each country’s edition operates under a head of editorial content, who reports directly to Wintour in her global capacity — streamlining content strategies and branding across continents.
This restructuring reflects both changing media economics and Wintour’s broader influence. It frees her to oversee the full suite of Condé Nast’s editorial vision while American Vogue becomes part of the collective rather than a standalone powerhouse.
Her leadership style — often described as icy, exacting, and hyper-disciplined — earned both fear and reverence. But even her critics admit that her editorial genius and longevity are unmatched in modern media.
With her hands still firmly on the levers of power at Condé Nast and the Met Gala, fashion will continue to orbit around her vision. She may have stepped down — but she hasn’t stepped away.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
