An Era of Change: Anna Wintour's Contribution to the Fashion Industry

What made the former editor-in-chief of American Vogue beloved by readers.

Anna Wintour transformed Vogue with her bold outlook and drive for bold cultural change in fashion and culture. In June, the British journalist and writer stepped down as editor-in-chief of American Vogue after 37 years leading the magazine.

Even so, Anna remains one of the most influential women in fashion, with a net worth of roughly $50 million, and has continued working at the magazine as global chief content officer and global editorial director, overseeing the brand's international operations.

She's also chief content officer at Condé Nast, where she oversees editorial work for WIRED, Vanity Fair, GQ, AD, Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, Bon Appétit, Tatler, World of Interiors, Allure, Teen Vogue, Ars Technica, and Them global.

For more on Anna Wintour's contribution to the fashion industry and the key changes at Vogue under her leadership, see this piece from DeTalks' special project on fashion and style.

Anna Wintour: The Essentials

The daughter of former The Evening Standard editor Charles Wintour, Anna has reached considerable heights. Anna received France's highest honor — the Legion of Honour, the title of Dame Commander (DBE) of the Order of the British Empire, and was appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) for her contributions to fashion.

Her list of achievements includes numerous professional awards, such as the “CFDA Global Influence Award” from the Council of Fashion Designers of America for her major contribution to fashion, and the “Icon Award” — recognition for lifetime achievement in advancing women in film, television, and the arts. On top of that, the American Society of Magazine Editors inducted her into its Hall of Fame in 2010.

There are even rumors that Wintour was the inspiration for one of the lead characters in the cult film The Devil Wears Prada, Miranda Priestly.

A Revolution in Cover Design

At the helm of the magazine, Anna often experimented with covers — sometimes combining seemingly incompatible things. In 1988, for instance, on her first cover for Vogue, she became the first in the magazine's history to pair haute couture (Christian Lacroix) with jeans from the mainstream brand Guess. That choice broke from the publication's established traditions, but expanded the magazine's audience.

On top of that, it was Wintour who began featuring celebrities on Vogue's covers, rather than just models, using their influence to reach a broader audience and boost the magazine's newsstand presence. In this way, putting actors, musicians, and other well-known figures front and center closed the gap between fashion and pop culture.

Red Carpets and New Talent

Anna Wintour managed to transform fashion from niche runway shows into one of today's most powerful industries.

The clearest example of this shift is the Met Gala — an annual charity gala in New York held to mark the opening of the Costume Institute's exhibition. And while the event, often called the 'Oscars of the fashion world,' began in 1948 as a simple fundraiser for the Met, it was Wintour who managed to give it prestige and turn it into a global focal point that still draws the world's most famous designers, stars, and other influential figures.

On top of that, Anna played a role in promoting new talent: as a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), she supported the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, which provided financial support and mentorship to promising industry newcomers.

Ethical Controversies

But the famous Vogue editor's preferences haven't been without controversy. Anna, in particular, has been criticized for using real fur. Yet despite her full-throated support for that material, seemingly screaming 'luxury,' Wintour has also spoken about faux fur, noting its potential negative impact on the environment.

This isn't the journalist's only scandal. A year ago, at a ceremony for the Harlem's Fashion Row awards, a conflict broke out between her and supermodel Naomi Campbell. When the model showed up late, Anna left the event without ever presenting the award.

Wintour has joked about being— a very punctual person, saying she had the honor that day of celebrating someone known for frequently running late, adding that Samira Nasr had agreed to step in for her since she, unfortunately, had to leave, despite everything she'd wanted to say about the extraordinary Naomi Campbell, — announced Wintour from the stage.

Even so, over her years of dedicated work in the fashion industry, Anna Wintour has earned lasting global fame and reshaped certain ideas for good.