Dame Anna Wintour had just sent off her first edition of US Vogue in October 1988 when the magazine received a phone call from the printers. They had seen the issue's front cover, and had one question: "Has there been a mistake?

The longtime Vogue powerhouse told staff Thursday she’s seeking a head of editorial content to handle more of the day-to-day operations.

Anna Wintour, the global editorial director of Vogue and an influential voice in fashion, is stepping back from editorial duties.