Anna Wintour resigns from her position as the leading editor at Vogue after many years influencing the fashion industry
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.
The occurrence established the groundwork for Wintour’s perspective, which would transform more than just the magazine, altering the entire fashion realm. She infused the publication with a touch of realism and approachability, moving away from its former roots in sheer luxury. By opting to showcase a model clad in denim, even though it happened by chance due to a wardrobe error, initiated a societal transformation. It indicated that fashion could be worn in everyday life, not solely during fashion shows.
Upon making a name for herself at British Vogue, Wintour was hired to revitalize the American edition, and over the span of 37 years, she effectively fulfilled that mission. Under her leadership, the publication navigated adeptly through the supermodel era, the rise of grunge, the dominance of celebrity culture, and the move towards emphasizing online narratives. In this time, Wintour repeatedly showcased an insightful grasp of fashion’s wider cultural influence, and its ability to affect more than merely 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 impact with Vogue extends far beyond the boundaries of its magazine. She transformed the norms of fashion covers, significantly including celebrities in a space that was previously reserved solely for models. In her first year, she placed Madonna on the cover—an unanticipated choice that launched a new mix of fashion and popular culture. This began a change that eventually embraced reality TV stars, political figures, and cultural icons appearing 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 unique fashion—characterized by her distinctive bob haircut and iconic sunglasses—became synonymous with her career image. Wintour’s attendance at the Met Gala, the coveted prestige of the September edition, and numerous nods to her image in popular culture (like the imaginary Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada) all cemented her status as a cultural influencer.
Although there was an enigmatic presence about her public image, Wintour frequently minimized the focus on her persona. She was more invested in the creativity and editorial direction of the publications she managed than in personal perceptions. Nevertheless, her impact was undeniable, and she often acknowledged it with self-awareness by attending events such as the The Devil Wears Prada musical gala, accepting the parallels without explicitly validating them.
Throughout her career, Wintour adeptly preserved her influence within a consistently evolving industry. Her capability to remain relevant amidst significant shifts in media—from traditional magazines to digital platforms—highlights her adaptability and strategic foresight. She recognized early on the importance of an online presence, even as traditional print outlets struggled to keep their audience. Although some critics contended there was an excessive emphasis on celebrity stories in the digital age, Wintour maintained that these choices were crucial for retaining 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, director of fashion partnerships at Instagram, who brings a wealth of digital experience to the table—a crucial asset in today’s media landscape. Also frequently mentioned is Chioma Nnadi, currently overseeing editorial content at British Vogue, and widely viewed as one of Wintour’s protégés. Her rise within the organization has been watched closely, and she represents a potential continuation of Wintour’s legacy with a new generational lens.
Other names in the conversation include Amy Astley, former Teen Vogue editor now leading Architectural Digest, as well as current senior editors like Chloe Schama and Chloe Malle. Even Wintour’s daughter, Bee Shaffer Carrozzini, a film producer with ties to the fashion world, has been mentioned—though such speculation remains firmly in the realm of conjecture.
As Wintour moves on from the publication she helped transform into an international leader, people in the industry are now weighing her impact. The fashion world has evolved significantly during her time—not just in terms of style, but also regarding its role in cultural and political discussions. Topics such as sustainability, fair labor practices, and digital inclusion have turned fashion from a specialized interest into a wider dialogue about identity, principles, and societal evolution.
Wintour, often seen as the gatekeeper of fashion’s inner circle, helped open those gates—though not without maintaining a firm grip on the standards of taste and innovation that Vogue became known for. Her ability to merge exclusivity with mass appeal, and high fashion with everyday relevance, is perhaps her greatest legacy.
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 several ways, her presence at the nuptials of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez earlier this year underscored her unique cultural influence. By showcasing Sánchez on the front page in 2023, Wintour was more than a participant at the event—she had helped shape the narrative around it.
Considering all her achievements in the publishing industry, Wintour’s greatest influence might be how she expanded the importance of fashion beyond its traditional boundaries. She didn’t just observe trends—she molded them, anticipated them, and, in many cases, created them.
As Anna Wintour exits the editor-in-chief role, Vogue and the broader fashion world enter a period of reflection and transition. Her departure is not just the end of an era—it’s a moment to consider what comes next for a publication, and an industry, that she helped define.
