Anna Wintour, the unmistakable face behind American Vogue for nearly four decades, officially stepped down as editor-in-chief this week, marking the end of an era in high fashion journalism. The 75-year-old icon, famous for her sleek bob, dark shades, and signature demeanor, informed Vogue staff during a meeting on June 25 that while she will hand over day-to-day operations, but she is far from retiring
Wintour is transitioning into two senior roles at Condé Nast: Global Chief Content Officer and Global Editorial Director of Vogue, where she’ll still guide the magazine’s direction and global brand strategy.
A new position, Head of Editorial Content, for the U.S. edition will be introduced, with Wintour even joking, “I plan to remain Vogue’s tennis and theater editor in perpetuity.”
Anna Wintour’s signature look and editorial vision turned Vogue into a global fashion authority. She pioneered the move of featuring celebrities, like Michelle Obama and Beyoncé, on Vogue covers, launching pop-culture integration into couture. She also brought emerging designers like Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano into the spotlight, and transformed the Met Gala into an internationally recognised cultural event.
Indian designers who featured on global Vogue covers
Under Wintour’s tenure, Vogue also elevated Indian fashion on its international stage, bringing designers into global consciousness.
Sabyasachi’s Red Sapphire Saree on Kim Kardashian for Vogue India
In a standout Vogue India photoshoot, Kim Kardashian turned heads by wearing a striking red sequined saree designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee. The look came from his Spring-Summer 2018 Couture line, Le Club De Calcutta, and featured intricate hand embroidery using metallic sequins and beads on delicate chiffon. The ensemble served as a preview of the collection, bringing together Sabyasachi’s signature craftsmanship with Kim’s global style persona.
The saree, titled Aakash-tara, was a fusion of classic Indian artistry and contemporary design. It was hand-embroidered by 28 skilled zardosi artisans from Kolkata, reflecting the painstaking detail that defines the designer’s work. The shoot also showcased Kim in ensembles by other leading Indian designers, including lehengas by Anita Dongre and Anamika Khanna, offering a rich mix of traditional and modern interpretations of Indian fashion.
Gaurav Gupta on Vogue Portugal
Designer Gaurav Gupta’s sculptural gowns landed on the cover of Vogue Portugal, showcasing his futuristic, architectural designs and signaling Indian couture’s global reach.
Gaurav Gupta’s couture creations have made notable appearances in multiple editions of Vogue Portugal, particularly in The Revolution Issue and the April 2023 issue. Among the standout pieces is the intricately crafted “Twin Reflection Sculpture Dress” adorned with crystal embroidery, which drew attention in The Resolution Issue. His distinctive aesthetic was also showcased in the June 2023 edition, where model Nella Yar Ngingo wore one of his sculptural designs. Gupta’s work has continued to gain global traction, with features in other international editions, including Vogue Singapore, affirming his growing influence on the world fashion stage.
Manish Malhotra’s Vogue India celebration
In 2015, Vogue India paid tribute to Manish Malhotra’s remarkable 25-year journey in Bollywood with a special anniversary cover. The issue brought together five of the film industry’s most iconic actresses – Sridevi, Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Alia Bhatt, each of whom has had a long-standing association with Malhotra’s work. The cover celebrated not just his legacy as a celebrated costume designer, but also his evolution into a full-fledged fashion designer.
The feature took us through Malhotra’s beginnings in film styling and his transition into couture, tracing his launch of the diffusion label Reverie – Manish Malhotra in 1998, followed by the debut of his flagship fashion label in 2005. It highlighted how he redefined Bollywood glamour and helped shape modern Indian fashion, known for his signature blend of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes. The cover shoot captured the essence of his style – timeless, glamorous, and unmistakably Indian, cementing his status as a pioneer in the world of fashion.
Anna Wintour’s net worth and earnings
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Anna Wintour’s estimated net worth is around $50 million. Though not officially confirmed, her reported annual salary as Vogue’s editor-in-chief was approximately $4 million. This figure does not account for her expanded duties in recent years as Condé Nast’s artistic director (a role she assumed in 2013) and later global chief content officer.
The fashion world now awaits who will step into the iconic role next, and whether they will bring with them the same bold instincts and commanding presence that defined Anna Wintour’s unparalleled reign.
