WINTOUR LEAVES AMERICAN VOGUE EDITOR ROLE AFTER 37 YEARS

Anna Wintour

Summary

• Anna Wintour steps down as American Vogue editor-in-chief after 37 years, announcing the decision to staff on Thursday
• She retains positions as Condé Nast's global chief content officer and Vogue's global editorial director
• The company will search for a new head of editorial content to replace her daily editing duties

Anna Wintour informed American Vogue staff members on Thursday that she would step back from her role as editor-in-chief after 37 years at the magazine's helm. The 75-year-old editor, who began leading the publication in 1988, will transition to focus entirely on her broader responsibilities within the Condé Nast organization.

The newly created position of head of American editorial content will assume responsibility for the magazine's daily editing operations. At the staff meeting in New York, Wintour described her decision as "pivotal" while emphasizing she would not be vacating her office.

The transition represents a strategic shift rather than a complete departure from the fashion industry. Wintour will continue overseeing all international Vogue editions and other Condé Nast properties including GQ, Vanity Fair, and Architectural Digest. Her role at Condé Nast has expanded significantly in recent years, giving her oversight of every brand within the company's global portfolio.

The publisher operates multiple titles across different sectors. These include lifestyle publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and Bon Appetit, design magazines like Architectural Digest and World of Interiors, and general interest titles including Wired and Glamour. The New Yorker remains under separate editorial leadership directed by David Remnick.

Wintour indicated she would "turn all attention to global" responsibilities in her expanded capacity. Her influence on fashion industry trends and cultural conversations extends beyond American Vogue through her oversight of international editions and cross-platform initiatives.

The search for her replacement has begun, though no timeline for the appointment has been announced. The incoming editor will inherit leadership of one of the fashion industry's most influential publications, which has shaped style conversations and cultural narratives under Wintour's direction since the late 1980s.

Wintour's tenure coincided with major shifts in fashion media, from print circulation changes to digital transformation and social media integration. Her editorial decisions influenced not only fashion trends but also political engagement within the industry, including high-profile fundraising events and advocacy initiatives.

The transition occurs as luxury fashion publishing faces ongoing challenges from changing consumer habits and media consumption patterns. Digital platforms have altered how audiences engage with fashion content, requiring traditional magazines to adapt their editorial strategies and revenue models.