With Anna Wintour in turmoil, will the editor in chief leave Vogue?
Following the waves of indignation provoked by the murder of George Floyd, rumours are multiplying in the New York media, foreshadowing the forthcoming announcement of the resignation of the woman nicknamed Nuclear Wintour after 32 years at the head of the American fashion bible. She would be replaced by the current head of British Vogue, the 48-year-old black editor Edward Enninful.
However, sources say that if the fashion empress’s departure is confirmed, she will still retain the position she has held since 2013 as artistic director of Vogue‘s parent company, Condé Nast.
While Anna Wintour has established herself as the most powerful woman in fashion, known for her impassibility, she is now the subject of a series of complaints about her hiring practices and her role as a member of the company’s “diversity committee”.
The Empress of Fashion at the Heart of the Criticism
Long-time Vogue contributor Leon Talley made headlines last May when he accused Anna Wintour of fostering a racist environment at Condé Nast and in the fashion world.
Readers were already lamenting the lack of diversity on the cover of the fashion magazine. The staff of the famous media outlet are also critical of the magazine’s management.
“I will say this: my time at Vogue, at Condé Nast, was the most challenging & miserable time of my career,” tweeted Shelby Ivey Christie, who worked in Vogue’s digital marketing department. “The bullying & testing from white counterparts, the completely thankless work, the terrible base pay & the racism was exhausting.”
The intensification of complaints in the context of the Black Lives Matter protests prompted Anna Wintour to hold her teams to account. In a recent memo, the editor acknowledged the lack of diversity within the magazine and admitted to “intolerant behaviour”.
The Black Lives Matter movement reverses roles among leading media figures
Last week, Vogue’s main competitor, Harper’s Bazaar, announced the appointment of its new editor-in-chief Samira Nasir, the first black editor-in-chief since the magazine’s inception 153 years ago.
As for Vogue, many in the fashion world are confident that the rivalry between Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful has been going on for a long time.
“It’s always just about to happen, but somehow it never does”, said a Condé Nast source about the succession.
“Edward is her obvious successor, and this would certainly be a perfect time for a change.”
While Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch remains evasive about the alleged change in direction, he insists that the fashion empress will remain with the company no matter what happens.
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Featured photo : © Getty Images
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