After news broke that Anna Wintour is stepping down from one of her roles at Vogue after 37 years, the fashion world was left desperately trying to figure out who would take the reins.
On Thursday, Wintour, 75, told staffers that she will be hiring a new head of editorial content at American Vogue.
She will continue to hold her position as Condé Nast’s global chief content officer and global editorial director at Vogue, and the new head of editorial content will report to her.
When Wintour shared the news with the Vogue staff that the title would soon be seeking a head of editorial content, she said, ‘I find that my greatest pleasure is helping the next generation of impassioned editors storm the field with their own ideas, supported by a new, exciting view of what a major media company can be. And that is exactly the kind of person we need to now look for to be HOEC for US Vogue.’
Fashion fans voiced their shock on social media, calling it the ‘end of an era’ and saying it’s something they never thought they would see, as she was tied so directly to the brand for so many years.
They immediately began wondering who would land fashion’s most famous job, leading to a guessing game that included fashion editors, Condé Nast darlings, and even nepo babies.
After news broke that Anna Wintour, 75, is stepping down from one of her roles at Vogue after 37 years, the fashion world was left desperately trying to figure out who would take the reins
Eva Chen, 45, a front row fashion week fixture, was named repeatedly on social media. Chen was previously the youngest editor-in-chief ever of shopping magazine Lucky
Amy Astley’s name quickly made the rounds, as she was the head of Teen Vogue and was handpicked by Wintour herself for the gig at the time. Astley, 58, is currently the editor of Architectural Digest, so she’s still working with Condé Nast
Plenty of fashion editors topped the list of potential replacements. One that was seen repeatedly is British-Ghanaian Edward Enninful, although he seems unlikely as he’s currently launching a new ‘magazine and platform’ that is set to compete with Vogue.
Plus, he’s had a rumored rivalry with Wintour. Enninful, 53, the first male and first black editor-in-chief of British Vogue, was once widely considered to be the protégé who would succeed Wintour. Now, he could be a competitor.
Eva Chen, 45, a fashion week fixture and Met Gala regular, was also named on social media. Chen was previously the youngest editor-in-chief ever of shopping magazine Lucky. Now, she’s the Head of Fashion Partnerships at Instagram, where she also has 2.5 million followers. Vogue has 51 million followers.
The rumors about Chen taking over have been circulating for years. In fact, in 2015 beauty writer Cat Marnell tweeted ‘I PREDICT ANNA WINTOUR WILL GRACEFULLY HAND VOGUE TO EVA CHEN WHEN SHE IS READY… IM TALKING IN 10 YEARS… WATCH THE THRONE.’
Amy Astley’s name quickly made the rounds, as she was the head of Teen Vogue when it was at its peak and most notably was handpicked by Wintour herself for the gig at the time. Astley, 58, is currently the editor of Architectural Digest, so she’s still working with Condé Nast.
Like Wintour, London-born journalist Chioma Nnadi worked at the American version of Vogue and currently edits the British publication. She has long been rumored to be been handpicked as her protégé, making her a frontrunner.
In 2023, Nnadi, who is of Nigerian, Swiss, and German descent, is the first woman of color to serve in a senior leadership role at Vogue.
On Reddit, fashion fans believe she’d be the right fit, with one person chiming in, ‘She’s put in her time as head of editorial content at Vogue UK, so she’s demonstrated she can lead. She replaced an icon (Edward) and did a smooth transition while there. She’s got a fantastic track record, a history at Vogue US, is deeply respected in the industry, and writers and advertisers like her.’
Like Wintour, Chioma Nnadi worked at the American version of Vogue and currently edits the British publication. She has long been rumored to be been handpicked as her protégé, making her a frontrunner
Another nepo baby who could potentially top the list? Wintour’s own daughter, Bee Shaffer Carrozzini, who’s currently working as a film producer
It’s entirely possible the next Wintour could already have a recognizable name, although it’s unlikely to be a true celebrity. In 2014, Sarah Jessica Parker shut down rumors that she was going to replace Wintour.
‘There aren’t that many contenders, tbh. If they promote from within, one of the Nepo Chloe’s maybe (Schama or Malle),’ one Reddit commenter pointed out.
Schama’s father is British historian and presenter Sir Simon Michael Schama. Malle’s mother is Candice Bergen and her father is French film director Louis Malle.
Another nepo baby who could potentially make the list? Wintour’s own daughter, Bee Shaffer Carrozzini, who’s currently working as a film producer.
After all, Wintour recently left Vanity Fair staff ‘blindsided’ over her surprising decision to appoint her daughter’s friend to run the magazine. She picked Shaffer’s close pal Mark Guiducci, 36, to run VF following a high-profile search for the publication’s next leader.
