By this week, Anna Wintour was already one of the most powerful people in the world of magazines. Since 1988 she has been the editor-in-chief of the American edition of Vogue, since 2013 the artistic director of Vogue’s parents, Condé Nast, and since 2019, the company’s global content advisor.
On Tuesday, as part of a larger overhaul, Condé Nast announced that Ms. Wintour will have a couple of new titles — worldwide director of content and global editorial director of Vogue — that will give her final say on publications. in more than 30 markets around the world. .
In addition to elevating her editorial leader, Condé Nast announced that Amy Astley, a confidante of Ms. Wintour, will be the global editorial director of AD, the title formerly known as Architectural Digest; Will Welch will become GQ’s global editorial director; and Divia Thani will receive the same role in Condé Nast Traveler.
Edward Enninful, Condé Nast’s most powerful black editor, was done the responsible for Vogue editions in Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Spain. Simone Marchetti will become the European editorial director of Vanity Fair, putting it at the forefront of its editions in France, Italy and Spain. The American and British versions of Vanity Fair will remain under the control of Radhika Jones.
Of the six newly created leadership roles within the editorial division, two were for people of color. Condé Nast said global editorial directors would be appointed for his other publications early next year.
Until now, the international editions of many Condé Nast titles were directed mainly by the best publishers in the countries where they are based. With the shock, the New York leadership team will have more oversight as part of what the company described in a press release as the “global unification of the brand’s editorial teams.”
Ms. Wintour’s 71-year-old promotion comes after members of her own staff criticized her for favoring a job that left women of color aside. The move also comes as a result of years of whispers, gossip columns and parties from the fashion industry, which would leave Vogue.
Roger Lynch, the executive chairman of Condé Nast, made his support clear in a statement on Tuesday. “Anna’s appointment represents a pivotal moment for Condé Nast, as her ability to stay at the forefront in connecting with new audiences, while cultivating and advising some of the industry’s most brilliant talent today, has become one of the most distinguished executives in the media, ”she said.
The New Yorker is a Condé Nast publication that is not part of Ms. Wintour. David Remnick, editor of the magazine since 1998, will continue to report directly to Mr. Lynch, as will Mrs. Wintour. The New Yorker has begun to overtake Vogue in the United States, at a pace to surpass brilliant fashion, as Condé Nast’s main contributor to U.S. profits later this year.
Shortly before the corporate restructuring and promotion of Ms. Wintour, three powerful editors of major international editions of Vogue left the company.
Angelica Cheung, who has been in charge of Vogue China for nearly two decades, left office last Tuesday. Vogue China has been one of the best performing titles of Condé Nast, one of the few American media brands that has gained a large number of followers in China.
Shortly after Ms. Cheung’s departure, Christiane Arp, the head of Vogue Germany, announced her departure. Also this month, the head of Vogue Spain, Eugenia de la Torriente, said she would leave the company.
The changes come as the company faces declining ad sales and staff unease over diversity and inclusion issues. The company has also had to struggle with a dwindling base of print readers, which has led to layoffs and pay cuts.