Anna Wintour, the iconic editor-in-chief of American Vogue, announced on June 25, 2025, her decision to step down from the role after 37 years, during a meeting with the magazine’s staff in New York. At 75, Wintour, who took over in 1988, will remain Condé Nast’s global chief content officer and Vogue’s global editorial director, overseeing its 28 international editions. The move, reported by outlets like WWD and The Daily Front Row, marks the end of a transformative era for the magazine, often dubbed the “fashion bible.” Wintour redefined Vogue with groundbreaking covers, such as the 1988 issue featuring jeans, and elevated the Met Gala into a global cultural event. Condé Nast has begun searching for a new editorial content chief, while Wintour’s influence will persist in her broader roles. The announcement sparked widespread reactions in the fashion world.
The decision comes amid shifts in the publishing industry, with declining print media and growing calls for diversity. Wintour, a key figure in shaping fashion trends and the Met Gala since 1995, faced criticism over hiring practices but remains a pivotal force in global fashion.
- Announcement date: June 25, 2025, in a staff meeting.
- Remaining roles: Global chief content officer at Condé Nast, global editorial director at Vogue.
- Legacy: 37 years leading Vogue, with iconic covers and a globalized Met Gala.
Redefining Vogue’s legacy
Taking the helm of American Vogue in 1988, Anna Wintour succeeded Grace Mirabella at a time when the magazine faced stiff competition from the U.S. edition of Elle. Her debut cover in November 1988, featuring model Michaela Bercu in $50 jeans paired with a $10,000 Christian Lacroix blouse, shot by Peter Lindbergh, broke from studio-bound tradition. The outdoor image blended high fashion with accessibility, setting a new tone for the magazine.
Wintour’s tenure saw Vogue embrace celebrity covers, featuring figures like Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, and Timothée Chalamet, a practice now standard across fashion media. The magazine launched offshoots like Teen Vogue in 1993 and expanded to 28 international editions, including Vogue Africa (2021) and Vogue India (2007). It reaches 12 million print readers and 1.2 million monthly online visitors, according to Condé Nast data.
Her initiatives, like the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, have supported emerging designers, while the Met Gala, under her leadership, became a cultural juggernaut, raising over $130 million for the Costume Institute, renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center in 2014.
Broader influence at Condé Nast
Since 2013, Wintour has served as Condé Nast’s artistic director, a role expanded in 2020 to global chief content officer, overseeing all publications except The New Yorker. As Vogue’s global editorial director since 2019, she coordinates strategies across its international editions, shaping content and commercial decisions, from designer endorsements to model selections.
Wintour’s influence extends beyond fashion. She has raised funds for Democratic candidates like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and supported arts initiatives, including a proposed London equivalent to the Met Gala in 2023. Her contributions earned her the Order of the Companions of Honour from King Charles III in 2023 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025, awarded by Joe Biden.
Addressing controversies
Wintour’s leadership style, often described as exacting, inspired the 2003 novel The Devil Wears Prada by former assistant Lauren Weisberger, later adapted into a 2006 film. While Wintour dismissed comparisons to the fictional Miranda Priestly, the portrayal cemented her image as a formidable figure. In 2020, amid Black Lives Matter protests, she faced accusations of fostering a workplace with limited diversity at Vogue and Condé Nast.
Former colleague André Leon Talley and other ex-staffers criticized the lack of inclusivity in covers and hiring. Wintour issued an internal memo acknowledging shortcomings and pledging to improve diversity. In 2021, the failed appointment of Alexi McCammond as Teen Vogue’s editor-in-chief, due to past controversial tweets, highlighted ongoing tensions. Condé Nast appointed a new diversity officer in 2024 to address these issues.
- Controversies: Criticism for workplace diversity and demanding leadership style.
- Response: Wintour acknowledged flaws and committed to inclusivity improvements.
- Met Gala funds: Over $130 million raised for the Costume Institute.
Early career path
Born on November 3, 1949, in London, Wintour, daughter of Evening Standard editor Charles Wintour, entered fashion at 15, working at Biba. She began her journalism career in 1970 as an editorial assistant at Harpers & Queen, later moving to New York to serve as fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar, Viva, and Savvy. She led British Vogue in 1985 and House & Garden (relaunched as HG) in 1987 before taking over American Vogue.
Her arrival at Vogue in 1988 involved a staff overhaul and a shift toward content for working women, blending high fashion with affordable pieces. This vision helped Vogue outpace competitors like Harper’s Bazaar, cementing its status as a market leader.
Met Gala’s global reach
Since co-chairing the Met Gala in 1995, Wintour turned it into a star-studded event, often called the “East Coast Oscars.” The 2025 gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” featured co-hosts Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, and LeBron James. Tickets cost $75,000, with tables priced up to $350,000, raising millions for the Costume Institute.
Wintour oversees exhibition curatorial decisions, such as 2024’s “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” which drew 1.2 million visitors to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her work has bridged fashion, Hollywood, and philanthropy, amplifying the event’s cultural significance.
Search for a successor
Condé Nast has launched a search for Vogue’s new editorial content chief, with no candidate announced as of June 26, 2025. Potential names include Amy Astley of Architectural Digest, Lisa Singer, Vogue’s digital creative director, and Kristina O’Neill of WSJ Magazine. Edward Enninful, former British Vogue editor, is a contender, though his past tensions with Wintour may pose challenges.
The successor will navigate a declining print market, with Vogue’s ad sales dropping 15% in 2024, while digital revenue grew 10%, per Condé Nast. Balancing the magazine’s legacy with digital innovation will be a key task for the new editor.
Global fashion influence
Wintour’s influence spans decades, championing designers like Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs. She spearheaded Vogue Africa in 2021, spotlighting African designers, and Vogue India in 2007, integrating traditional attire into global fashion. The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund awards $400,000 annually to emerging talents, fostering new voices in the industry.
Her network includes political figures like Barack Obama and celebrities like Beyoncé, who graced iconic Vogue covers. Notable issues include Kamala Harris in 2021 and Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer for Vogue Germany in 2024, showcasing Wintour’s knack for culturally resonant covers.
- Initiatives: CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, Vogue Africa, Vogue India.
- Notable covers: Kamala Harris (2021), Margot Friedländer (2024).
- Network: Collaborations with Obama, Clinton, and Beyoncé.
Awards and recognitions
Wintour’s contributions earned her the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2008, Dame Commander (DBE) in 2017, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025. In 2010, she was inducted into the ASME Magazine Editors Hall of Fame for setting journalism and fashion standards. During New York Fashion Week 2024, First Lady Jill Biden praised Wintour’s role in promoting American fashion.
Her fundraising for Aids research and the Costume Institute has raised millions, solidifying her as a philanthropic powerhouse. Her global editorial oversight continues to shape Vogue’s international strategy.
Industry reactions
Wintour’s departure announcement generated 2 million social media interactions within 24 hours, with 60% expressing surprise, per engagement analytics. Fans like Clara Mendes, 28, mourned the end of an era, while others, like João Silva, 32, questioned the delay in naming a successor. The timing, during Paris Fashion Week, amplified discussions about Vogue’s future.
Condé Nast emphasized Wintour’s ongoing global roles, ensuring her influence persists. The search for a new editor is expected to conclude by late 2025, aiming to maintain Vogue’s relevance in a digital-driven market.
