And what Vogue will look like without her.

BY ELLA MANILOFF ★ JUNE 28TH, 2025

After 37 years as Vogue's editor-in-chief and nearly a decade as the chief content officer at Condé Nast, Anna Wintour is officially stepping down in her role and taking over as the head of editorial content. Since being appointed to the Vogue position in 1988, she has not only shaped fashion but has also defined it. Her bob never moved, her sunnies never slipped and her power never dwindled. Here's why Wintour will always be that girl and what her departure means for the future of fashion.

1. Her first Vogue cover changed fashion forever

Wintour’s November 1988 debut cover featured Israeli model Michaela Bercu in a bejeweled Christian Lacroix top and jeans. JEANS! It was groundbreaking. Editors before her played it safe, but she brought in a new and relatable era of high fashion. Prior to Wintour, covers showed only the highest class designer looks, featuring perfect lighting and rigid poses. Wintour’s debut led to a shift toward mixing high fashion with real life. The cover was the first sign of her readiness to change the current trajectory of fashion.

2. She made the Met Gala the most exclusive invite in pop culture

Although it existed before her, under Wintour’s leadership (she took over in 1995), the Met Gala went from a societal event to a cultural phenomenon. Themed carpets, curated guest lists and jaw-dropping looks became the standard. She raised millions for the Costume Institute and transformed fashion into a form of performance art.

3. She launched entire careers

Before they were icons, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and Proenza Schouler were young designers championed by Wintour. She gave them editorial space, financial backing through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and her stamp of approval — arguably the most valuable currency in the fashion industry.

4. She put women in charge — and kept them there.

Wintour built an empire of powerful women. Under her leadership, Vogue and Condé Nast became a place where women didn't just work in fashion; they led it. She championed female editors, such as Edward Enninful's successor, Chioma Nnadi, at British Vogue, Amy Astley at Architectural Digest and countless others.

5. She made celebrities high fashion and changed covers forever

Before Wintour, Vogue covers were reserved for supermodels, but Wintour saw the future, and it looked like Madonna in 1989, Nicole Kidman in 1994 — and eventually Kim and Kanye's 2014 wedding cover, which sparked both outrage and intrigue. By putting celebrities on the covers, Wintour didn't just follow culture; she redirected it. She understood star power as a strategy long before influencers and algorithms ran the game.

6. She kept Vogue relevant in a digital world

Although the digital age led to a decline in print circulation, Wintour held tight to Vogue's prestige. She led the launch of Vogue Runway in 2015, digitizing fashion week coverage. During the pandemic, she oversaw virtual shows and innovative covers, such as British Vogue's July 2020 tribute to key workers.

7. Her exit leaves fashion at a crossroads

As of June 2025, Wintour is no longer the editor-in-chief. While no official successor has been named yet, her departure signals a significant shift. What will the future of American Vogue look like without her behind the wheel? One thing is sure: no one will wield fashion power like Wintour did.

Wintour didn't just run Vogue; she was Vogue. She created icons and even inspired a film (The Devil Wears Prada in 2006), where the character Miranda Priestly is widely believed to be based on her. As the industry heads into its next era, one question remains: Who's bold enough to take her seat?

7 Reasons Anna Wintour Was That Girl