NEW YORK — Anna Wintour is stepping down as Vogue editor-in-chief but will retain editorial control over the storied magazine. The longtime Vogue powerhouse told staff Thursday she’s seeking a head of editorial content to handle more of the day-to-day operations. But she’s holding on to plenty of power to keep her a force at the magazine that built her reputation in fashion.

“And it goes without saying,” she joked, “that I plan to remain Vogue’s tennis and theater editor in perpetuity.”

Wintour will remain chief content officer for Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue. The news shook the fashion world and Wintour-watchers on social media amid breathless headlines that she was “stepping down” from the magazine. The new lead will report directly to Wintour in her capacity as global editorial director, Vogue said in a statement posted to its website later Thursday.

As chief content officer, Wintour will continue to oversee every Condé Nast brand globally, including Vogue, Wired, Vanity Fair, GQ, AD, Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour and more.

— The Associated Press