Anna Wintour became editor-in-chief of American Vogue in 1988.
She succeeded Grace Mirabella, who had led the magazine since 1971. Wintour’s appointment marked a major change in Vogue’s visual direction, bringing more emphasis to contemporary fashion, recognizable celebrities, and commercially powerful cover images.
Wintour had already worked in British fashion publishing and served as editor of British Vogue before moving to the American edition. Her first American Vogue issue was dated November 1988 and featured Michaela Bercu on the cover.
The date is sometimes confused with 1983, when Wintour became creative director of British Vogue, or with 1992, when she became a prominent figure in the documentary-related history of the September issue. Her American Vogue editorship began in 1988.