Who will take over as Vogue editor after Anna Wintour?

Anna Wintour steps aside as Vogue editor-in-chief after decades of defining fashion culture

When Anna Wintour submitted her first issue of American Vogue in late 1988, the response from the magazine’s printer was unexpected: “Has there been a mistake?” The cover, featuring model Michaela Bercu in a Christian Lacroix couture jacket paired with jeans, departed from the highly stylized, formal portraits that had defined the magazine for decades. The shot was casual, taken outdoors, and captured a spontaneous energy that would come to symbolize a new chapter for Vogue.

The event laid the foundation for Wintour’s outlook, which would revolutionize more than just the magazine, reshaping the entire fashion industry. She brought an element of authenticity and accessibility to the publication, steering it away from its previous focus on pure luxury. Choosing to feature a model in denim, even though it occurred accidentally due to a wardrobe mistake, initiated a cultural shift. It suggested that fashion could be part of everyday attire, not just seen on fashion runways.

Upon making a name for herself at British Vogue, Wintour was hired to revitalize the American edition, and over the span of 37 years, she effectively fulfilled that mission. Under her leadership, the publication navigated adeptly through the supermodel era, the rise of grunge, the dominance of celebrity culture, and the move towards emphasizing online narratives. In this time, Wintour repeatedly showcased an insightful grasp of fashion’s wider cultural influence, and its ability to affect more than merely clothing.

This week, Wintour announced she would be stepping down from her role as editor-in-chief of Vogue, wrapping up one of the most significant editorial tenures in the fashion world. Even though she will continue as chief content officer at Condé Nast—a position she has held since 2020—her departure from the magazine’s editorial helm signifies the conclusion of a remarkable chapter.

Wintour’s legacy at Vogue extends far beyond magazine pages. She redefined what belonged on a fashion cover, notably introducing celebrity faces to a space previously reserved for models. Within her first year, she placed Madonna on the cover—an unconventional move that sparked a new era of fashion-meets-pop-culture synergy. It was the beginning of a transformation that would eventually see reality stars, politicians, and cultural figures appear on the magazine’s covers.

Throughout her time at Vogue, Wintour kept her finger on the pulse of public interest, adjusting the magazine’s tone to reflect broader shifts in media and consumer behavior. Her editorial instincts often translated into real-world influence. For instance, she was among the first to bring figures like Kim Kardashian and Ivanka Trump into fashion’s mainstream conversation, offering them a platform that significantly expanded their visibility.

This editorial influence did not go unchallenged. Wintour’s choices occasionally faced opposition, like the debated 2008 magazine cover with LeBron James and Gisele Bündchen, which stirred discussions on racial imagery and representation. Nevertheless, these instances only solidified the truth that Wintour had emerged as a key player in the conversation about fashion and influence.

Her personal style—marked by a sleek bob and signature sunglasses—became as recognizable as her professional brand. Wintour’s presence at the Met Gala, the September issue’s iconic status, and the countless references to her persona in pop culture (including the fictional Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada) all reinforced her reputation as a cultural tastemaker.

Although there was an enigmatic presence about her public image, Wintour frequently minimized the focus on her persona. She was more invested in the creativity and editorial direction of the publications she managed than in personal perceptions. Nevertheless, her impact was undeniable, and she often acknowledged it with self-awareness by attending events such as the The Devil Wears Prada musical gala, accepting the parallels without explicitly validating them.

During her professional journey, Wintour successfully maintained influence in an ever-changing sector. Her skill in staying significant amid major media transformations—from printed glossies to digital formats—demonstrates her flexibility and insightful planning. She understood early the significance of having an online footprint, even while conventional print media faced challenges retaining its readership. While some critics argued there was too much focus on celebrity content in the era of digital media, Wintour argued that these decisions were essential to stay culturally significant.

Former colleagues and fashion insiders suggest that Wintour’s decision to step back was likely her own. As chief content officer, she still holds sway over Vogue and other major Condé Nast titles, and will reportedly have a say in choosing her successor. The speculation surrounding that choice is already building.

Potential candidates include Eva Chen, director of fashion partnerships at Instagram, who brings a wealth of digital experience to the table—a crucial asset in today’s media landscape. Also frequently mentioned is Chioma Nnadi, currently overseeing editorial content at British Vogue, and widely viewed as one of Wintour’s protégés. Her rise within the organization has been watched closely, and she represents a potential continuation of Wintour’s legacy with a new generational lens.

Other names in the conversation include Amy Astley, former Teen Vogue editor now leading Architectural Digest, as well as current senior editors like Chloe Schama and Chloe Malle. Even Wintour’s daughter, Bee Shaffer Carrozzini, a film producer with ties to the fashion world, has been mentioned—though such speculation remains firmly in the realm of conjecture.

As Wintour moves on from the publication she helped transform into an international leader, people in the industry are now weighing her impact. The fashion world has evolved significantly during her time—not just in terms of style, but also regarding its role in cultural and political discussions. Topics such as sustainability, fair labor practices, and digital inclusion have turned fashion from a specialized interest into a wider dialogue about identity, principles, and societal evolution.

Wintour, frequently regarded as a key figure in fashion’s exclusive community, played a role in making it more accessible—while still upholding the high standards of taste and creativity that Vogue is renowned for. Her talent for combining exclusivity with broad appeal, and luxury fashion with everyday significance, is likely her most enduring achievement.

As the sector considers the future, the task for the person following in her footsteps will be to keep managing an ever-changing environment. Juggling the business demands of contemporary media with the cultural duties now associated with fashion won’t be simple. However, Wintour has already contributed to paving this path.

In many ways, her presence at the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez earlier this year symbolized her unique cultural position. Having featured Sánchez on the cover in 2023, Wintour wasn’t merely attending an event—she had played a role in shaping the public narrative around it.

For all her accomplishments in the editorial world, Wintour’s most significant impact may be the manner in which she broadened the significance of fashion beyond its conventional limits. She not only captured trends—she shaped them, foresaw them, and, in numerous instances, originated them.

As Anna Wintour exits the editor-in-chief role, Vogue and the broader fashion world enter a period of reflection and transition. Her departure is not just the end of an era—it’s a moment to consider what comes next for a publication, and an industry, that she helped define.