Anna Wintour to step aside as editor of American Vogue

Anna Wintour has also run the Met Gala, an annual fundraiser in New York famous for its celebrity guest list, since 1995. Picture: Ian West/PA

Anna Wintour is to step aside from her role as the day-to-day editor of American Vogue, with the magazine hiring a new head of editorial content.

British-born Wintour will remain in charge of Vogue globally and as chief content officer of the media company Conde Nast – which oversees several prominent media brands including Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Allure, Conde Nast Traveler and Wired.

The new role at American Vogue will allow her to turn her full attention to her other duties in these roles, it is understood.

Ms Wintour reportedly broke the news to staff during a meeting earlier on Thursday.

Dame Anna Wintour was made a Companion of Honour by the King at Buckingham Palace (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The move brings a close to Ms Wintour's 37-year stint as editor of American Vogue, having overseen the day-to-day editing of the New York fashion magazine since 1988.

The British-American editor is widely regarded as one of the most powerful women in publishing and as a major figure in the fashion world.

Ms Wintour has also run the Met Gala, an annual fundraiser in New York famous for its celebrity guest list, since 1995.

Earlier this year, Ms Wintour was made a member of the prestigious Order of the Companions of Honour for her services to fashion, joining Judi Dench, Elton John, David Hockney, and Paul McCartney.

The order was founded in 1917 by George V and is limited to 65 members at any one time. Appointments go to those who have made a long-standing contribution to arts, science, medicine or government.

Following the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Ms Wintour said she did not intend on retiring anytime soon.

She said: “The last time I was here the Queen gave me a medal and we both agreed that we had been doing our job a very long time, and then this morning His Majesty asked me if this meant I was going to stop working and I said firmly, no.”

Ms Wintour is rumoured to have inspired a former personal assistant, Lauren Weisberger, in creating the character of Miranda Priestly for her bestselling 2003 novel The Devil Wears Prada.

The book was made into a successful movie in 2006, starring Meryl Streep in the role of Priestly.