After nearly four decades at the top of American Vogue, Dame Anna Wintour is stepping back from her role as editor-in-chief.
The 75-year-old British-born fashion icon announced to staff on Thursday that a new head of editorial content would take over the magazine’s daily leadership.
Although stepping aside from the editor-in-chief role, Wintour will remain highly involved. She will continue as Vogue’s global editorial director and also keep her position as chief content officer at Condé Nast, the magazine’s parent company.
Speaking to staff, Dame Anna said she was excited to support the next generation of editors. “I want to help the next generation of impassioned editors storm the field with their own ideas,” she said. She also joked that she would still be Vogue’s tennis and theatre editor “in perpetuity.”
Born and raised in London, Wintour was editor of British Vogue before moving to the US in 1988 to take charge of American Vogue. Under her leadership, the magazine became a global fashion authority, known for mixing high fashion with affordable styles and featuring both famous and fresh faces on its covers.
Wintour is also well known for running the annual Met Gala in New York, a star-studded charity event she has overseen since 1995.
In her trademark bob haircut and dark sunglasses, she became one of the most powerful and recognisable figures in fashion. Last year, she told the BBC that the sunglasses were her “prop,” saying, “They help me see and they help me not see.”
Her leadership style was believed to inspire the character of Miranda Priestly in the novel and movie *The Devil Wears Prada*, written by her former assistant, Lauren Weisberger.
Wintour was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017 and was recently named a Companion of Honour by King Charles. When asked by the King earlier this year if she planned to retire, she said she replied “firmly no.”
