After nearly four decades at the helm of American Vogue, fashion powerhouse Anna Wintour has stepped down from her role as editor-in-chief, closing a remarkable chapter in magazine history. The 75-year-old British-born style icon, known as much for her steely leadership as her signature bob and sunglasses, announced her departure from the top editorial post during a recent staff meeting in New York.

While Wintour will no longer oversee the day-to-day operations of Vogue U.S., she’s not walking away entirely. According to publishing giant Condé Nast, Wintour will remain deeply involved, holding onto her titles as Vogue’s global editorial director and chief content officer for Condé Nast’s broader portfolio — which includes influential titles like GQ, Wired, Vanity Fair, and Glamour.

Often hailed as the most powerful figure in fashion, Wintour transformed Vogue from a traditional women’s magazine into a global style authority. When she took over in 1988, the publication was seen as conventional. Under her leadership, it evolved into a trendsetting giant, capable of making or breaking designers, celebrities, and brands with a single cover.

Her rise to pop culture prominence was amplified by The Devil Wears Prada, the 2003 novel — and later, 2006 film — inspired by Wintour’s famously exacting persona. Though she long kept quiet about the portrayal, she later acknowledged the comparisons, coyly telling the BBC in 2024 that “it’s for the audience and the people I work with to decide” how closely she mirrors the icy Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep.

But there’s more to Wintour than her tough reputation. The 2015 documentary The September Issue peeled back the curtain on her creative process, showing both her commanding vision and occasional moments of vulnerability.

Raised between Britain and the U.S., Wintour was honored in recent years by the British monarchy — first as a Dame in 2017, and most recently as a Companion of Honour in early 2025, a title shared by only a select few. During the London ceremony, she reportedly told King Charles III she had no intention of slowing down.

Over the years, Wintour’s influence extended far beyond the printed page. As curator of the Met Gala, she turned a Manhattan fundraiser into a global spectacle, merging high fashion with celebrity culture and philanthropy. She also championed inclusivity in later years, spotlighting more diverse models, designers, and stories in Vogue’s pages.

Her departure comes at a time of deep change for legacy media. Like many print publications, Vogue has faced challenges in adapting to the digital age — but Wintour’s impact on the fashion industry is undeniable.

In one of her more candid public comments, Wintour once explained the purpose behind her ever-present sunglasses: “They help me see and they help me not see. They help me be seen and not be seen. They are a prop, I would say.”

For now, the fashion world awaits news on who will step into her well-heeled shoes — but one thing is clear: Anna Wintour may have stepped down, but her legacy continues to shape global style.


By WafricNews Desk.