Anna Wintour has announced she is stepping down as editor-in-chief of American Vogue after 37 years at the helm. The decision marks the end of a defining era not just for the magazine, but for the fashion industry as a whole.
Although she is stepping back from the day-to-day operations of Vogue’s U.S. edition, Wintour is not leaving the brand entirely. She will continue in her roles as global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer at Condé Nast. In these positions, she will maintain significant oversight of the Vogue brand across its global editions and remain a key figure in shaping content strategy across the company’s broader portfolio, which includes publications like Vanity Fair, GQ, Bon Appétit, and Glamour. The New Yorker remains independent of her purview.
Wintour will also continue to lead major events that have become synonymous with her name, including the Met Gala and Vogue World, ensuring her influence remains firmly embedded in the cultural and fashion landscape.
This change is part of an ongoing corporate restructure at Condé Nast, which began in 2021 and has shifted the editorial leadership model from traditional editor-in-chief roles to heads of editorial content. Wintour is currently involved in appointing someone to fill this newly established leadership role at American Vogue, who will oversee daily editorial operations while reporting directly to her.
Since taking over in 1988, Wintour has transformed Vogue into a cultural force, famously debuting with a cover that paired a Christian Lacroix jacket with blue jeans—an early sign of her willingness to blend high fashion with accessibility. Over the years, she championed young designers, redefined the relationship between fashion and celebrity, and played a major role in shaping global style trends.
Beyond fashion, Wintour has also been recognized for her work in philanthropy, including raising hundreds of millions for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. In January 2025, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, underscoring her influence beyond the pages of Vogue.
Wintour’s departure from the top job at American Vogue closes a legendary chapter, but her continued presence in the company ensures her vision and authority will still shape its future. The search for her successor will be closely watched, as the next leader of Vogue U.S. inherits both an iconic legacy and a rapidly evolving media landscape.
