In a landmark moment for fashion media, Anna Wintour is stepping down from her role as editor-in-chief of American Vogue, a position she’s held since 1988.
The announcement was made during a staff meeting on June 26, 2025. While Wintour is leaving her U.S.-based editorial role, she will retain her global positions as Vogue’s chief content officer and Condé Nast’s chief content officer, continuing to oversee the brand’s international titles, excluding The New Yorker.
Wintour’s transformative leadership over 37 years made Vogue a global fashion authority. Her debut cover in November 1988, featuring Michaela Bercu in Guess jeans and a Christian Lacroix jacket, redefined high fashion. She continued to lead the industry through iconic covers and cultural moments, from Oprah Winfrey and Madonna in the ’90s to the viral 2014 Kim Kardashian and Kanye West wedding issue—the first featuring a reality star, rapper, and interracial couple on the cover.
Beyond the magazine, Wintour shaped the Met Gala into a global phenomenon, mentored rising editors and designers, and spearheaded the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund to support emerging talent.
Known for her signature bob, dark sunglasses, and front-row presence, Wintour became a cultural icon, often parodied on shows like SNL. Her biography, Anna by Amy Odell, chronicles her life and influence in fashion and media.
Her departure follows recent shifts at Condé Nast, including the resignation of Susan Cappa and editorial changes at Vanity Fair. As the industry speculates who will succeed her in one of fashion’s most powerful positions, one thing is clear: Wintour’s legacy is unmatched.
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