Anna Wintour steps down as Vogue’s top editor after years of shaping the fashion landscape
When Anna Wintour submitted her first issue of American Vogue in late 1988, the response from the magazine’s printer was unexpected: “Has there been a mistake?” The cover, featuring model Michaela Bercu in a Christian Lacroix couture jacket paired with jeans, departed from the highly stylized, formal portraits that had defined the magazine for decades. The shot was casual, taken outdoors, and captured a spontaneous energy that would come to symbolize a new chapter for Vogue.
That moment set the tone for Wintour’s vision—one that would reshape not only the magazine, but the fashion industry itself. She brought a sense of realism and accessibility to a publication once steeped in high glamour. The decision to feature a model in denim, albeit unintentionally due to a wardrobe mishap, marked a cultural shift. It signaled that fashion could belong on the street, not just on the runway.
Having made a name for herself at British Vogue, Wintour was brought in to revitalize the American edition, and over the next 37 years, she did just that. Under her leadership, the magazine moved with confidence through the supermodel era, the rise of grunge, the dominance of celebrity culture, and the evolution toward digital-first storytelling. Throughout, Wintour maintained an acute awareness of what fashion meant to culture at large—and how it could influence more than clothing.
This week, Wintour announced she would be stepping down as editor-in-chief of Vogue, marking the end of one of the most influential editorial tenures in fashion history. While she will continue in her role as chief content officer at Condé Nast—a position she has held since 2020—her departure from the magazine’s editorial helm closes a significant chapter.
Wintour’s legacy at Vogue extends far beyond magazine pages. She redefined what belonged on a fashion cover, notably introducing celebrity faces to a space previously reserved for models. Within her first year, she placed Madonna on the cover—an unconventional move that sparked a new era of fashion-meets-pop-culture synergy. It was the beginning of a transformation that would eventually see reality stars, politicians, and cultural figures appear on the magazine’s covers.
Throughout her time at Vogue, Wintour kept her finger on the pulse of public interest, adjusting the magazine’s tone to reflect broader shifts in media and consumer behavior. Her editorial instincts often translated into real-world influence. For instance, she was among the first to bring figures like Kim Kardashian and Ivanka Trump into fashion’s mainstream conversation, offering them a platform that significantly expanded their visibility.
This editorial power wasn’t without criticism. Wintour’s decisions sometimes sparked backlash, such as the controversial 2008 cover featuring LeBron James and Gisele Bündchen, which prompted debate over racial imagery and representation. Yet, such moments only further cemented the reality that Wintour had become a central figure in the dialogue around fashion and power.
Her singular sense of style, marked by her signature bob hairstyle and renowned sunglasses, became closely tied to her professional persona. Wintour’s presence at the Met Gala, the much-desired acclaim of the September issue, along with various references to her likeness in pop culture (such as the fictional Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada) solidified her standing as a cultural icon.
Despite the air of mystique surrounding her public persona, Wintour often downplayed the attention on her image. She expressed more interest in creativity and the direction of the publications she led, rather than in how she was perceived personally. That said, her influence was inescapable, and she often leaned into it with self-awareness, attending events like The Devil Wears Prada musical gala, embracing the comparisons without directly confirming them.
Throughout her career, Wintour managed to hold authority in an industry known for volatility. Her ability to remain relevant through seismic shifts in media—from glossy pages to digital platforms—speaks to her adaptability and strategic vision. She recognized early on the importance of online presence, even as traditional print struggled to maintain its audience. Though some critics pointed to an overemphasis on celebrity content in the digital age, Wintour defended the choices as necessary to maintain cultural relevance.
Past coworkers and those knowledgeable in the fashion industry propose that Wintour’s choice to reduce her role was probably made independently. Though she remains the chief content officer, she continues to influence Vogue and other prominent Condé Nast publications, and will supposedly have input in selecting who follows in her footsteps. Anticipation regarding this decision is already rising.
Potential candidates include Eva Chen, holding the position of director of fashion partnerships at Instagram, where her broad digital knowledge plays a crucial role in today’s media landscape. Chioma Nnadi is frequently mentioned as well, as she oversees the editorial content at British Vogue, and is regarded as one of Wintour’s protégés. Her career advancement within the organization is being closely watched, representing a potential continuation of Wintour’s influence with a new generational view.
Other individuals being discussed are Amy Astley, once at the helm of Teen Vogue and now steering Architectural Digest, along with current senior editors such as Chloe Schama and Chloe Malle. Additionally, Wintour’s daughter, Bee Shaffer Carrozzini, who works as a film producer connected to the fashion industry, has also come up in conversations—though these predictions are purely speculative.
As Wintour steps away from the magazine she helped shape into a global authority, industry observers are left to consider the weight of her influence. Fashion has changed dramatically during her tenure—not only in style but in its place within cultural and political discourse. Issues like sustainability, ethical labor practices, and digital democratization have transformed fashion from a niche interest into a broader conversation about identity, values, and social change.
Wintour, frequently regarded as a key figure in fashion’s exclusive community, played a role in making it more accessible—while still upholding the high standards of taste and creativity that Vogue is renowned for. Her talent for combining exclusivity with broad appeal, and luxury fashion with everyday significance, is likely her most enduring achievement.
As the sector considers the future, the task for the person following in her footsteps will be to keep managing an ever-changing environment. Juggling the business demands of contemporary media with the cultural duties now associated with fashion won’t be simple. However, Wintour has already contributed to paving this path.
In various respects, her attendance at the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez earlier this year highlighted her distinct cultural status. Featuring Sánchez on the cover in 2023, Wintour was not just a guest at the occasion—she had contributed to framing the story surrounding it.
For all her editorial achievements, Wintour’s greatest contribution may be the way she expanded fashion’s relevance beyond its traditional boundaries. She didn’t just document trends—she influenced them, predicted them, and, in many cases, created them.
As Anna Wintour leaves her role as editor-in-chief, Vogue and the broader fashion sector are entering a period of reflection and transformation. Her departure marks more than just the end of a period—it’s a chance to consider the future path for a magazine and an industry that she greatly influenced.
