Anna Wintour is stepping down from her position as editor in chief of American Vogue, a title she has held since 1988. But anyone expecting her to exit the spotlight or relinquish control over the publication’s identity may be underestimating just how much her influence has grown beyond any single masthead.
At age 75, Wintour retains two significant titles: global editorial director of Vogue and chief content officer of Condé Nast. The change is largely structural. The editor in chief role at American Vogue will no longer exist; instead, a newly created “head of editorial content” will manage day-to-day responsibilities and report directly to Wintour.
This move mirrors changes Wintour initiated across Vogue’s international editions beginning in 2020. Once led by regional editors with near-total autonomy, the various global Vogues were consolidated under a single editorial vision, with younger heads of content replacing long-serving editors in markets such as the UK, France, and Italy. The shift has been seen by industry observers as a decisive turn away from the era of untouchable editors and personal fiefdoms — and toward a model of centralized leadership and brand consistency.
Wintour’s announcement has reignited speculation about succession, a recurring topic in fashion media circles. But the structural reality is that she has no true successor in sight. The incoming head of content at American Vogue may technically take over her former title, but the cultural role Wintour occupies — as gatekeeper, arbiter, and symbolic figurehead — remains uniquely hers.
Within Condé Nast, Wintour’s role spans far beyond Vogue. As chief content officer, she oversees the editorial strategies for marquee brands including GQ, Wired, and Vanity Fair. The only major title left out of her jurisdiction is The New Yorker, which operates with a degree of editorial independence rare within the company.
Her decision to cede part of her responsibilities comes at a time of broader transformation at Condé Nast. The company has steadily eliminated the editor in chief title across its portfolio, preferring flatter hierarchies and streamlined reporting lines. This reorganization has often been framed as a response to the digital age, cost pressures, and the changing expectations of younger readers.
Still, there is no mistaking where the power remains. In stepping sideways, not down, Wintour has once again managed to redefine the boundaries of her own authority — while ensuring she remains firmly at the center of fashion’s editorial universe.