Anna Wintour steps down as Vogue’s top editor after years of shaping the fashion landscape
When Anna Wintour unveiled her first issue of the American Vogue towards the end of 1988, the printer’s response was unexpected: “Was a mistake made?” The cover featured model Michaela Bercu dressed in a Christian Lacroix jacket with jeans, which was a shift from the carefully arranged, polished images that had defined the magazine for so long. The picture was laid-back, snapped outdoors, and captured a sense of spontaneity that heralded a new chapter for Vogue.
The event laid the foundation for Wintour’s outlook, which would revolutionize more than just the magazine, reshaping the entire fashion industry. She brought an element of authenticity and accessibility to the publication, steering it away from its previous focus on pure luxury. Choosing to feature a model in denim, even though it occurred accidentally due to a wardrobe mistake, initiated a cultural shift. It suggested that fashion could be part of everyday attire, not just seen on fashion runways.
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 influence with Vogue reaches well past the confines of its publication. She altered the standards of fashion covers, prominently incorporating celebrities into what was once an exclusive domain for models. During her initial year, she featured Madonna on the cover—an unexpected decision that initiated a fresh blend of fashion and pop culture. This marked the start of a shift that would ultimately include reality TV personalities, political leaders, and cultural icons gracing the magazine’s covers.
Throughout her time at Vogue, Wintour attentively responded to public preferences, adjusting the magazine’s approach to reflect broader trends in media and consumer behavior. Her editorial decisions often had real-world effects. For instance, she played a significant role in bringing figures like Kim Kardashian and Ivanka Trump into mainstream fashion discussions, offering them a platform that significantly amplified their visibility.
Este control editorial no dejó de ser cuestionado. Las decisiones de Wintour algunas veces enfrentaron resistencia, como la disputada portada de revista de 2008 con LeBron James y Gisele Bündchen, que provocó debates sobre imágenes raciales y representación. No obstante, estos casos solo reforzaron la realidad de que Wintour se había consolidado como una figura central en el diálogo sobre moda e influencia.
Her personal style—marked by a sleek bob and signature sunglasses—became as recognizable as her professional brand. Wintour’s presence at the Met Gala, the September issue’s iconic status, and the countless references to her persona in pop culture (including the fictional Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada) all reinforced her reputation as a cultural tastemaker.
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 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.
Former colleagues and fashion insiders suggest that Wintour’s decision to step back was likely her own. As chief content officer, she still holds sway over Vogue and other major Condé Nast titles, and will reportedly have a say in choosing her successor. The speculation surrounding that choice is already building.
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 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.
In contemplating what’s ahead, the challenge for the successor will be to continue navigating a dynamic landscape. Balancing the commercial needs of modern media with the newly linked cultural responsibilities in fashion won’t be easy. Yet, Wintour has already played a role in forging this direction.
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 steps down from her position as editor-in-chief, Vogue and the larger fashion industry find themselves in a phase of contemplation and change. Her exit signifies more than just the closure of an era—it’s an opportunity to ponder the future direction for a magazine and an industry that she significantly shaped.
