Condé Nast Puts Anna Wintour in charge of magazines worldwide

Announced on Tuesday by Condé Nast, Anna Wintour has been promoted to global content manager for all of the group's magazine titles. But what challenges could arise from this new position created for the "fashion icon"?

The new position was especially created for her. Anna Wintour has just been appointed "responsible for world content" by Condé Nast, and this for all the group's magazine titles - with the exception of New Yorker, specifies Reuters. The editor-in-chief of Vogue US, who is keeping this post she held since 1988 in parallel, sees her field of action extended to all national editions of Vogue, but also to titles dedicated to decoration, cooking or lifestyle. Should this be seen as a promotion for the one we nickname "the pope of fashion", or a setback?

The doubt persists after the presentation of her new responsibilities. On Tuesday, December 15, 2020, in addition to the new functions of Anna Wintour, Condé Nast indeed unveiled other appointments. Particular attention is paid to that of Edward Enninful, who was the editor-in-chief of English Vogue since 2017, and who now becomes the editorial director of all European editions of Vogue. A new global editorial direction has also been given to other magazines, such as Architectural Digest and GQ. Will these new editorial referents be the close guard of Anna Wintour, or on the contrary, her rivals?

2020: The year of pressure for Anna Wintour

If she has worked as editor-in-chief of the American edition of Vogue for more than thirty years, 2020 has surely been one of the most complicated years of Anna’s career. In recent months, the Condé Nast group, also financially impacted by the global pandemic, has implemented many changes, including a reduction in salaries and a wave of layoffs or departures - especially that of Suzy Menkes who has had a great impact on the entire fashion industry.

2020 was also the year of Anna Wintour’s public apology, after a New York Times investigation uncovered her racist behavior. The one who inspired the main character of the Devil wears Prada, was then forced to explain herself. 

The year that is coming to an end will also remain that of her separation from her husband Shelby Bryan, after 16 years of marriage.

We will have to wait and see whether the looming New Year will usher in a more joyful era for her. And if her new role as Global Head of Content at Condé Nast will give her time to stay diligent in the front rows she loves so much.