Anna Wintour’s legacy: who could be the next Vogue editor?

Anna Wintour resigns from her position as the leading editor at Vogue after many years influencing the fashion industry

When Anna Wintour presented her initial edition of American Vogue at the end of 1988, the reaction from the magazine’s printer was surprising: “Was there an error?” The cover, showcasing model Michaela Bercu in a Christian Lacroix couture jacket combined with denim jeans, was a departure from the meticulously styled, formal portraits that had characterized the magazine for many years. The photograph was relaxed, taken outside, and embodied a spontaneous spirit that would represent a fresh era for Vogue.

The occurrence established the groundwork for Wintour’s perspective, which would transform more than just the magazine, altering the entire fashion realm. She infused the publication with a touch of realism and approachability, moving away from its former roots in sheer luxury. By opting to showcase a model clad in denim, even though it happened by chance due to a wardrobe error, initiated a societal transformation. It indicated that fashion could be worn in everyday life, not solely during fashion shows.

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 revealed she would be resigning from her position as editor-in-chief of Vogue, concluding one of the most impactful editorial careers in the history of fashion. Although she will remain as chief content officer at Condé Nast—a role she has occupied since 2020—her exit from the magazine’s editorial leadership marks the end of a notable era.

Wintour’s impact with Vogue extends far beyond the boundaries of its magazine. She transformed the norms of fashion covers, significantly including celebrities in a space that was previously reserved solely for models. In her first year, she placed Madonna on the cover—an unanticipated choice that launched a new mix of fashion and popular culture. This began a change that eventually embraced reality TV stars, political figures, and cultural icons appearing on the magazine’s covers.

During her tenure at Vogue, Wintour consistently tuned into public interests, aligning the magazine’s tone with larger changes in media and consumer habits. Her editorial choices frequently impacted the real world. For example, she was one of the pioneers in introducing personalities such as Kim Kardashian and Ivanka Trump to the mainstream fashion dialogue, providing them a stage that greatly increased their prominence.

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 singular sense of style, marked by her signature bob hairstyle and renowned sunglasses, became closely tied to her professional persona. Wintour’s presence at the Met Gala, the much-desired acclaim of the September issue, along with various references to her likeness in pop culture (such as the fictional Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada) solidified her standing as a cultural icon.

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.

Throughout her career, Wintour managed to hold authority in an industry known for volatility. Her ability to remain relevant through seismic shifts in media—from glossy pages to digital platforms—speaks to her adaptability and strategic vision. She recognized early on the importance of online presence, even as traditional print struggled to maintain its audience. Though some critics pointed to an overemphasis on celebrity content in the digital age, Wintour defended the choices as necessary to maintain cultural relevance.

Former colleagues and industry insiders suggest that Wintour’s decision to scale back her responsibilities was likely made autonomously. While she still holds the title of chief content officer, her impact on Vogue and other major Condé Nast magazines persists, and it is believed she will have a say in who succeeds her. Expectations surrounding this choice are 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 individuals being discussed are Amy Astley, once at the helm of Teen Vogue and now steering Architectural Digest, along with current senior editors such as Chloe Schama and Chloe Malle. Additionally, Wintour’s daughter, Bee Shaffer Carrozzini, who works as a film producer connected to the fashion industry, has also come up in conversations—though these predictions are purely speculative.

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, often seen as the gatekeeper of fashion’s inner circle, helped open those gates—though not without maintaining a firm grip on the standards of taste and innovation that Vogue became known for. Her ability to merge exclusivity with mass appeal, and high fashion with everyday relevance, is perhaps her greatest legacy.

In contemplating what’s ahead, the challenge for the successor will be to continue navigating a dynamic landscape. Balancing the commercial needs of modern media with the newly linked cultural responsibilities in fashion won’t be easy. Yet, Wintour has already played a role in forging this direction.

In several ways, her presence at the nuptials of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez earlier this year underscored her unique cultural influence. By showcasing Sánchez on the front page in 2023, Wintour was more than a participant at the event—she had helped shape the narrative around it.

For all her editorial achievements, Wintour’s greatest contribution may be the way she expanded fashion’s relevance beyond its traditional boundaries. She didn’t just document trends—she influenced them, predicted them, and, in many cases, created 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.