Wintour Isn’t Leaving Vogue—She’s Making Space for What’s Next

In a quietly momentous announcement this morning, Anna Wintour informed the Vogue team that the magazine will soon appoint a new Head of Editorial Content (HOEC) for its U.S. edition. While this marks a shift in Vogue’s day-to-day leadership, it’s not the end of an era—it’s the evolution of one.

Wintour, who has held the editor-in-chief title at Vogue since 1988, will continue her expansive role as Chief Content Officer of Condé Nast and Global Editorial Director for Vogue, overseeing a portfolio that includes everything from Vanity Fair and GQ to Bon Appétit and Teen Vogue.

The upcoming HOEC for Vogue US will steer the publication’s daily editorial direction, reporting directly to Wintour—just as their counterparts do at the international editions. It’s a structural change that reflects the growing complexity of Condé Nast’s global strategy and a moment of renewal for the magazine that helped define modern fashion media.

In a staff meeting on Thursday, Wintour shared what felt like both a passing of the baton and a reaffirmation of her commitment to pushing the industry forward.

“Anybody in a creative field knows how essential it is never to stop growing in one’s work,” she said. “When I became the editor of Vogue, I was eager to prove… that there was a new, exciting way to imagine an American fashion magazine.”

Her focus now? Empowering the next wave of editorial visionaries while continuing to shape Vogue’s global influence. That includes spearheading tentpole moments like the Met Gala, expanding the increasingly ambitious Vogue World, and mentoring creative leaders within the industry.

Wintour was clear that her fingerprints will remain firmly on the culture-defining institution she helped build.

“It goes without saying that I plan to remain Vogue’s tennis and theater editor in perpetuity,” she joked—though anyone who’s followed her career knows it’s half-truth, half trademark wit.

For those of us on the outside looking in, this is a masterclass in succession planning and brand legacy. Rather than exit quietly, Wintour is doing what few in publishing have done: giving Vogue space to grow under fresh leadership while retaining a steady global hand. It’s both a statement and a signal—change is here, and it’s welcome.

As Vogue begins its search for the next editorial lead, one thing is certain: the fashion world will be watching. Not just to see who steps up, but to see how the brand itself steps forward.

Thank you!