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The fashion legend has announced her retirement from her duties to her teams after 37 years at the helm of American Vogue. She will, however, retain her roles as Condé Nast’s chief content officer and global publishing director.

The announcement had the effect of a bombshell in the fashion world. On social media, the news spread like wildfire: Anna Wintour, the iconic face of Vogue since 1988, was stepping down as editor-in-chief of the US edition. After 37 years of ruling this legendary magazine with an iron fist, this icon, nicknamed the “popess of fashion,” is turning a major page in her career. During a meeting with her teams on the morning of June 26, she formalized her departure while specifying that she would retain her positions as content director at Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue, overseeing the group’s flagship brands such as Vanity Fair, GQ, and AD. While a new editorial director must now take the reins of Vogue US, the question remains: can Anna Wintour really be replaced? For some observers, the time has come to impose a younger perspective in tune with today’s world. A milestone that the fashion queen seems to welcome with enthusiasm: “It will be exciting to collaborate with a new voice that will challenge us, inspire us and push us to rethink Vogue from new angles,” she explained, according to Vogue US.

An emblematic career

This transition marks the end of an era but also the crowning achievement of an exceptional career. Born in London in 1949, Anna Wintour has become one of the most influential figures in fashion. Nicknamed the “Iron Lady,” she transformed US Vogue magazine into a true cultural avant-garde. Under her leadership, models gradually gave way to actresses and singers on the cover—like the famous Madonna in 1989. Also a pioneer in digital technology, she quickly adapted Vogue to the digital age, launching an innovative website with slideshows of the fashion shows, a sign of her anticipation of industry developments.

Her role extends beyond the editorial walls thanks to her unique flair for unearthing the talents who have revolutionized fashion: Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano… So many geniuses revealed thanks to her keen eye. An influential advisor to major fashion houses, she has sometimes influenced the selection of artistic directors, shaping the face of contemporary fashion.

Close to the powerful, Anna Wintour has forged close ties with the icons of her time. A friend of Princess Diana, whom she supported several times in the pages of Vogue, she was also decorated by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017, receiving the title of Dame Commander of the British Empire. On the designer front, she has built strong relationships with Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford, and John Galliano. In the editorial department, she relied on her loyal allies: André Leon Talley, Vogue’s flamboyant and historic writer, and Grace Coddington, her creative partner, who supported her in the (re)construction of the magazine.

A legendary style

Anna Wintour’s style is a perfectly orchestrated science. Since the ’90s, she has remained faithful to a wardrobe as recognizable as it is iconic. A sleek, perfectly cut bob, oversized sunglasses worn like armor, and a consistently impeccable look. Fitted midi dresses by Chanel, Prada, or Carolina Herrera, gold-link bib necklaces, printed or color-block coats, often matching the dress. On her feet, a pair of nude Manolo Blahnik slingbacks and, above all, never pointy pumps, sneakers, and even less so jeans. She practices a form of rigid elegance, minimally theatrical. And if she refuses the element of surprise, it’s because her uniform has become a statement: that of a woman of power who never overdoes it, even in her floral prints. This formidably studied style, both immutable and cutting-edge, inspired the cult character of Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada.”

Breaking away from a long-masculine world, Anna Wintour asserted herself with firmness and resilience, becoming the voice of haute couture, as well as of emerging designers and enthusiasts. Her departure marks a significant milestone, but her legacy remains indelible. A true fashion icon, she remains one of the most talented and influential figures in this constantly evolving industry.