Anna Wintour is stepping down as editor-in-chief of American Vogue after nearly 37 years, making space for new leadership as part of a major editorial restructuring at Condé Nast.
At a Glance
- Wintour announced her departure as U.S. Vogue editor-in-chief.
- She will continue as global editorial director and Condé Nast’s chief content officer.
- Condé Nast will hire a new “head of editorial content” for American Vogue.
- Leading candidates include Chloe Malle and Virginia Smith.
- The move follows a global shift toward regional editorial heads.
Wintour Moves Upstairs While U.S. Role Evolves
Anna Wintour, who has led American Vogue since 1988, is relinquishing her editorial role to concentrate on her expanded global position as Condé Nast’s chief content officer. According to People, Wintour will remain involved in major fashion and cultural events while delegating U.S. editorial duties.
This change was disclosed internally and reflects Condé Nast’s broader restructuring plan, allowing Wintour to focus on overarching strategic leadership while empowering local editorial heads to shape brand voice and content at the national level.
New Structure: Global Vision, Local Execution
Condé Nast will now appoint a “head of editorial content” for American Vogue, mirroring the global editorial strategy adopted at other titles like Glamour, which recently named its first global editorial director.
Among the frontrunners are Chloe Malle, Vogue.com’s editor, and Virginia Smith, the magazine’s veteran fashion director. As The Times reports, both bring deep institutional knowledge and strong digital sensibilities, setting up a generational pivot in leadership style and storytelling.
What Lies Ahead for Vogue
The shift signals the end of an era. Wintour’s cultural dominance—from Met Galas to presidential endorsements—shaped not just fashion, but public life. Her successors must now redefine Vogue’s voice for a world where social media, activism, and emerging aesthetics reshape what it means to lead in style.
As Business of Fashion notes, this leadership model could usher in innovation and greater flexibility—while maintaining the brand’s high-gloss appeal. Whether that vision holds will depend on how the next editorial head balances reverence for legacy with a bold reimagining of fashion media.
