Grace Coddington steps down as creative director of American Vogue

In yet another unexpected turn for the ever changing fashion industry, Grace Coddington has revealed she will be stepping down as creative director of American Vogue, a position she has held for nearly 30 years.

The eminent stylist's relationship with the title will not change as she will be staying on the masthead as creative director at large. She will continue to work on a number of fashion stories for the magazine each year as well as taking on additional projects outside of American Vogue.

Speaking to the Business of Fashion, Coddington said: "I really love Vogue, it's been in my life always, they discovered me as a model at 19, I'm not running away from Vogue, because it has opened so many doors. But it will be nice to collaborate, and nice to go out [and] give talks to people. It's just another approach. I'm certainly not going into retirement. I don't want to sit around."

Welsh-born Coddington, 74, joined American Vogue in 1988, hired by the newly appointed editor Anna Wintour. Her life in fashion had originally begun in modelling until a car accident ended her career. She moved into styling, initially working at British Vogue under the direction of then editor Beatrix Miller, before moving to Vogue US and remaining there with Wintour ever since.

The loyal relationship between the two was documented in the 2009 documentary The September Issue, which followed the American Vogue team as they prepared to put together their most challenging issue of the year. This new step may lessen her involvement with the magazine but she is still contracted to produce at least four editorial spreads and will hold on to her office at Vogue's US headquarters, so her iconic style will remain with the title.

Coddington's name will also be appearing on many exciting upcoming projects including a fragrance with Commes Des Garcons and she will be joining the likes of Bruce Weber and Hedi Slimane with new representation by the Great Bowery agency.