Dame Anna Wintour is a British-American journalist and editor who has been editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988 and artistic director for Condé Nast, Vogue's publisher, since 2013. With her trademark pageboy bob haircut and dark sunglasses, Wintour has become an important figure in much of the fashion world, widely praised for her eye for fashion trends and her support for younger designers.

Wintour was educated at North London Collegiate School, but dropped out before graduation. In 1970, she began working at fashion magazines in London. In 1986, Wintour became editor of British Vogue, and a year later she became editor of House & Garden. She was able to improve both magazines, and increase their circulation.

After only two years as editor of British Vogue, Wintour was appointed editor-in-chief of the U.S. edition of Vogue. Through this position, she has become an icon in the fashion industry. Wintour's predecessor at Vogue, Grace Mirabella, had focused the magazine more on lifestyles than on fashion, which worried numerous fashion industry insiders. They feared the magazine would lose its place in the fashion world to the new magazine, Elle. However, under Wintour's leadership, the magazine returned to its original status and kept its focus on fashion.

Designers seek her approval, and know they need her support in order to make a name for themselves. In return, she has been an avid backer for the fashion industry. She works to create attention for young designers who have not gotten their name out yet. She helped to begin the CFDA/Vogue fund in order to encourage and support undiscovered designers. After September 11, 2001, she organized the sale of t-shirts whose profit would go to a Twin Towers fund. She also took charge of a public relations campaign to get the public shopping again after the attack.

Wintour is noted for her philanthropic work. She is a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and is also a key fundraiser for various AIDS charities. She has made it a top priority to recognize Vogue's mission on social terms. After the fall of Afghanistan, Vogue opened beauty salons and trained Afghan women in beauty skills, thus opening a whole new world to these women.

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