Anna Wintour Steps Down: What Vogue’s Future Looks Like Under Chloe Malle

After nearly four decades at the helm of American Vogue, Anna Wintour is officially stepping back from her role as Editor-in-Chief. The news, announced in June 2025, marks the end of an era not just for Vogue, but for the global fashion industry she helped shape.

But this is not a full goodbye. Wintour retains her powerful positions as Vogue’s Global Editorial Director and Chief Content Officer of Condé Nast. She will continue overseeing international editions and spearheading cultural touchstones like the Met Gala and Vogue World. The change is more about day-to-day editorial leadership—responsibility that now falls to Chloe Malle, who has been appointed Head of Editorial Content for Vogue US.

So, what does this generational handover mean for the magazine that has long defined fashion authority?

Anna Wintour Chief Content Officer of Conde Nast

The End of an Era

Since 1988, Wintour has presided over Vogue with her trademark precision: sharp bob, sunglasses, and a vision that defined the cultural conversation. From setting cover star standards to orchestrating high-profile features, she turned the magazine into both a style bible and a cultural barometer.

Wintour’s Vogue covers were more than glossy images—they became milestones. Under her watch, Vogue shaped careers, defined beauty ideals, and even influenced politics. Stepping back from the Editor-in-Chief title feels like a seismic shift, even if her influence remains entrenched in Condé Nast’s DNA.

Chloe Malle Head of Editorial Content Vogue US

Meet Chloe Malle

Taking the reins is Chloe Malle, a name familiar to Vogue insiders. Malle isn’t a newcomer parachuting in—she’s grown up inside Vogue’s ecosystem.

• She joined the magazine in 2011 as Social Editor, later serving as Contributing Editor and Sittings Editor.

• In 2023, she became editor of Vogue.com, where she spearheaded digital growth and launched creative projects like Vogue Weddings and the Run-Through podcast.

• She’s widely praised for her ability to balance tradition with digital innovation, bridging the gap between print prestige and online immediacy.

Her appointment signals a deliberate shift: Vogue is preparing for a future where digital storytelling, podcasts, and social media are just as critical as print spreads.

What to Expect From Vogue Under Malle

Malle inherits an institution, but she also carries the pressure of making it resonate with younger, faster, more diverse audiences. Here’s what readers can anticipate:

• More Digital Energy: Expect Vogue.com and Vogue’s social platforms to grow even more central. Malle has already proven her eye for engaging online storytelling, suggesting more video, podcasts, and multimedia features.

• Flexible Print: Instead of rigid monthly issues, Vogue may embrace more thematic, cultural “moments” that make each print edition feel like a collectible.

• Broader Cultural Lens: Fashion will remain the heart, but we’re likely to see stories that intersect with politics, sustainability, wellness, and identity—mirroring how readers consume culture today.

• More Inclusive Storytelling: From cover stars to contributors, Vogue could reflect a wider spectrum of voices, pushing further beyond the fashion elite.

Risks and Rewards

The transition won’t be without challenges. Vogue must maintain the elegance and authority it’s known for while avoiding the trap of chasing trends too eagerly. Advertisers still expect the prestige of print, even as digital engagement drives relevance. And Wintour’s long shadow will inevitably loom over Malle’s decisions.

But if Malle succeeds, she could usher Vogue into a new era: one where the magazine is not just a glossy fashion guide, but a dynamic, cross-platform cultural leader.

The Bigger Picture

Wintour stepping aside signals a broader transformation in media leadership. The age of the singular “Editor-in-Chief” dictating culture is giving way to a model that blends legacy with innovation, print with digital, and authority with accessibility.

For readers and fashion enthusiasts alike, this is an exciting moment. Vogue is evolving, but it isn’t losing its core identity—it’s expanding it. With Chloe Malle steering the day-to-day editorial ship and Anna Wintour still holding the compass, the next chapter of Vogue promises to be both respectful of its legacy and ready for the future.