The news has directly shocked the fashion world. Anna Wintour is leaving Vogue. After 40 years at the magazine, the “godmother” of fashion is leaving. What drove this decision and what are her plans for the future? What’s next for the “bible of fashion”?
Anna Wintour is leaving Vogue. Surprise in the fashion world
Anna Wintour is leaving Vogue – this news, announced on June 25, 2025, shook not only the fashion world, but also the entire media community. After nearly four decades as editor-in-chief of the American edition of Vogue magazine, the style icon, visionary and one of the most influential women of the 21st century has decided to step down. The decision, though long maturing, surprised even her closest colleagues.
Why now? The backstory of the decision
It’s not about fatigue, professional burnout or pressure. Anna Wintour is not leaving in the shadows, but from a position of strength. As she herself emphasizes, the moment has come to hand over the day-to-day editorial responsibility to the younger generation. Instead, she herself plans to focus on global operations. Her decision is part of a larger restructuring of Condé Nast Publishing, which has been busily adapting to digital realities and global markets. Her new position – global content director of Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue – will allow her to continue to influence the direction of the entire media empire.
A legacy not to be underestimated
Wintour took over Vogue in 1988. Her first cover – with model Michaela Bercu in jeans – instantly became a symbol of the fashion revolution. For 37 years, she built the magazine into a “fashion bible.” To this day, she continues to shape the taste of millions of readers. She efficiently creates a bridge between elite fashion and everyday style.
Over the years, she discovered new talents and promoted unobvious faces. Her influence on the careers of designers, models and photographers was enormous. Today it is the same. At the same time, she edited Vogue for new times, giving it a cultural, political and social dimension. Since 1995, she has also headed MET Gala. Undeniably, the fashion world’s most important charity event, which she turned into a global spectacle. Today Wintour is 75 years old and positioned as an undisputed icon. Both editorial and cultural.
What’s next for Vogue?
Anna Wintour is leaving Vogue. However, this does not mean orphaning the magazine. Her successor – or rather, a new “figure” – will not carry the title of Editor-in-Chief, but Head of Editorial Content. This change is part of Condé Nast’s global editorial model, which focuses on consistency, cross-country collaboration and integrated content strategies. The magazine will continue to be published in the United States. However, its editorial voice will be part of a larger international narrative.
Wintour, in turn, as strategist and mentor, will oversee all Condé Nast brands (except The New Yorker). She will therefore set their development directions and oversee the quality and creativity of their content.
Anna Wintour is leaving Vogue? Is this the end of an era?
In a way – yes. Anna Wintour created an era that is now coming to an end. But her departure from her role as editor-in-chief is not the end of her influence, but a transformation of it at an even higher level. It’s a change that shows that even the greatest icons can step aside without losing their relevance – but redefining it in a new context.
Inspiration for the future
Wintour didn’t just manage the magazine. She shaped reality. In a world that often favored superficiality, she insisted on intellect, vision and high standards. She taught that fashion was more than clothes. It’s a narrative about the times we live in. And although Anna Wintour is leaving Vogue, her presence in the world of fashion and media remains unwavering. Perhaps it is now that she will have the chance to write the most important chapter of her career, from a distance and a broader perspective.
