The woman who served as inspiration for the main character in the film The Devil Wears Prada is handing her pen over, with the decision to step down as editor of Vogue magazine and move to a new more senior role.
Anna Wintour, 75, is seeking a new head of editorial content at the American magazine she helmed for 37 years.
But the British-born woman is not leaving parent company Conde Nast and will add global editorial director of Vogue to her continuing role as chief content officer of Condé Nast, according to media reports.
The new head of editorial content will report to Wintour, whose responsibilities have grown in recent years to include all Condé Nast titles including Vanity Fair, GQ and Wired, except The New Yorker.
“Anybody in a creative field knows how essential it is never to stop growing in one’s work,” Wintour was quoted in an article by fashion publication The Business of Fashion as saying in a staff announcement.
“When I became the editor of Vogue, I was eager to prove to all who might listen that there was a new, exciting way to imagine an American fashion magazine.”
Condé Nast Chief Executive Roger Lynch said Wintour had been doing three jobs since 2020 and it made sense for her to step back from American Vogue.
“This will enable her to make time for everyone who needs her,” Lynch was quoted in an article in the Wall Street Journal newspaper as saying.
Wintour, who is recognised for her sunglasses and bob hairstyle, is believed to be the inspiration for Miranda Priestly, the demanding and ruthless character played by Meryl Streep, in the 2006 film about the world of high fashion.
Condé Nast is part of the Newhouse family’s privately-held media conglomerate Advance Publications.
Celebrities and models have been featured on the front cover of Vogue, including Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, Ivana Trump, Renée Zellweger, Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford and Kim Kardashian.
