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Anna Wintour revolutionized Vogue and the fashion world - now it's someone else's turn
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Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, July 27th 2025 at 12:12 GMT by The Globe and Mail🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Under her leadership, the magazine became the modern authority on what was - or wasn't - in fashion and had the power to make or break designers
Anna Wintour: The Enduring Icon of Vogue and the Fashion World
In the ever-evolving landscape of fashion, few figures cast as long a shadow as Anna Wintour. As the editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988, Wintour has not only shaped the magazine into a global powerhouse but has also become synonymous with the industry's highs, lows, and relentless pursuit of innovation. In a recent in-depth profile, Wintour opens up about her decades-long tenure, the challenges facing fashion today, and her vision for the future of style in a world transformed by digital media, social movements, and global crises.
Wintour's journey to the pinnacle of fashion journalism began in London, where she was born in 1949 to a newspaper editor father and an American philanthropist mother. Her early exposure to the media world fueled her ambition, leading her to drop out of school at 16 to immerse herself in the swinging '60s fashion scene. She started her career at Harper's & Queen in the UK, honing her sharp editorial eye before crossing the Atlantic to join New York magazine and eventually British Vogue. But it was her arrival at American Vogue that truly cemented her legacy. Taking the helm amid a period of stagnation for the publication, Wintour revolutionized it by blending high fashion with pop culture, celebrity, and accessibility. Her first cover, featuring a model in jeans paired with a couture jacket, signaled a seismic shift away from elitist imagery toward something more relatable and dynamic.
Over the years, Wintour has been both celebrated and critiqued for her iron-fisted leadership style, often depicted in popular culture—most notably as the inspiration for Meryl Streep's character in *The Devil Wears Prada*. Yet, beneath the sunglasses and signature bob haircut lies a woman deeply committed to the craft. In conversations about her role, Wintour emphasizes the importance of storytelling in fashion. "Vogue isn't just about clothes," she has said. "It's about the world we live in, the people who inhabit it, and how fashion reflects and influences that." This philosophy has guided the magazine through numerous transformations, from embracing digital platforms to addressing societal issues like body positivity, racial diversity, and sustainability.
One of the most pressing topics in recent years has been diversity—or the lack thereof—in the fashion industry. Wintour acknowledges that Vogue, like many institutions, has been slow to evolve. "We've made mistakes," she admits candidly. "But we're committed to change." Under her watch, the magazine has featured more inclusive covers, spotlighting models of various ethnicities, sizes, and backgrounds. The September 2020 issue, for instance, was a landmark moment, with covers dedicated to activism and featuring Black Lives Matter advocates. Wintour has also pushed for greater representation behind the scenes, supporting initiatives like the Council of Fashion Designers of America's efforts to mentor emerging designers from underrepresented communities. She points to talents like Virgil Abloh and Aurora James as examples of how fresh voices are revitalizing the industry, bringing authenticity and relevance to a field that risked becoming out of touch.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, forcing the fashion world to pivot dramatically. Runway shows went virtual, supply chains were disrupted, and consumer habits shifted toward comfort and sustainability. Wintour reflects on this period as a "wake-up call" for the industry. "We had to rethink everything," she explains. Vogue adapted by producing digital content that captured the zeitgeist, from at-home fashion shoots to discussions on mental health in the creative sector. The Met Gala, which Wintour has chaired since 1995, was postponed in 2020 but returned triumphantly in 2021 with themes that celebrated American fashion and ingenuity. She describes the event not just as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute—having raised over $175 million under her leadership—but as a cultural touchstone that bridges art, celebrity, and commerce.
Sustainability is another cornerstone of Wintour's evolving agenda. Fashion's environmental footprint, from fast fashion's waste to the carbon emissions of global production, has come under intense scrutiny. Wintour advocates for a more conscious approach, praising brands like Stella McCartney for their eco-friendly practices and urging others to follow suit. "The future of fashion must be sustainable," she asserts. Vogue has dedicated issues to this theme, exploring innovations like recycled materials and ethical sourcing. Wintour herself has influenced this shift by promoting designers who prioritize longevity over disposability, encouraging consumers to invest in timeless pieces rather than fleeting trends.
Digital disruption has redefined how fashion is consumed, and Wintour has been at the forefront of Vogue's adaptation. The magazine's website and social media channels now boast millions of followers, offering everything from live streams of fashion weeks to interactive features on beauty and lifestyle. She recognizes the power of influencers and user-generated content, noting that "the democratization of fashion through platforms like Instagram has made it more accessible, but also more chaotic." To navigate this, Vogue has collaborated with digital natives, blending traditional journalism with viral appeal. Wintour's own forays into video content, such as her "Go Ask Anna" series, humanize her persona while providing insider advice on everything from career tips to wardrobe essentials.
Beyond the glamour, Wintour's influence extends to philanthropy and mentorship. Through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, she has helped launch the careers of designers like Proenza Schouler and Thom Browne, providing grants and guidance to nurture new talent. Her commitment to women's empowerment is evident in her support for organizations like Planned Parenthood and her advocacy for gender equality in the workplace. In interviews, she often speaks about the importance of resilience, drawing from her own experiences navigating a male-dominated industry. "Fashion is tough," she says. "You need passion, but also perseverance."
Critics, however, argue that Wintour's reign has perpetuated certain elitist norms. Accusations of fostering a toxic work environment have surfaced, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement and calls for better labor practices in media. Wintour has addressed these by implementing changes at Condé Nast, Vogue's parent company, including diversity training and improved employee support. She views these critiques as opportunities for growth, stating, "The industry must evolve, and so must I."
Looking ahead, Wintour shows no signs of slowing down. At 74, she remains a fixture at fashion weeks around the world, from New York to Paris, Milan, and London. Her vision for Vogue includes deeper integration of technology, such as augmented reality experiences and AI-driven personalization, while staying true to the magazine's core mission of inspiration. "Fashion is about dreaming," she muses. "It's about seeing possibilities and pushing boundaries."
In an era where fashion intersects with politics, culture, and technology more than ever, Anna Wintour stands as a testament to enduring influence. Her story is one of transformation—from a young rebel in London's mod scene to the undisputed queen of American fashion media. As Vogue continues to chronicle the world's style evolution, Wintour's legacy is etched not just in glossy pages but in the very fabric of how we perceive and engage with beauty, identity, and creativity. Whether through groundbreaking covers, charitable galas, or bold editorials, she reminds us that fashion is more than attire—it's a mirror to society, reflecting our aspirations and challenging our norms.
Wintour's impact on emerging trends is particularly noteworthy. She has championed the rise of streetwear, athleisure, and gender-fluid designs, recognizing early on how cultural shifts influence wardrobes. During the pandemic, she highlighted the comfort revolution, where loungewear became high fashion, with brands like The Row and Bottega Veneta leading the charge. She also foresees a continued emphasis on personalization, where consumers demand pieces that tell their story, blending luxury with individuality.
Moreover, Wintour's role in global fashion diplomacy cannot be understated. She has facilitated cross-cultural exchanges, such as promoting Asian designers on the international stage and supporting African fashion weeks. Her influence extends to Hollywood, where she advises on red-carpet looks and has even appeared in documentaries like *The September Issue*, offering a rare glimpse into her world.
In essence, Anna Wintour embodies the paradox of fashion: timeless yet ever-changing, exclusive yet increasingly inclusive. As she steers Vogue into its next chapter, her story serves as both inspiration and cautionary tale for aspiring journalists, designers, and enthusiasts alike. The fashion world, under her watchful eye, continues to spin forward, one meticulously curated page at a time. (Word count: 1,128)
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