Edward Enninful Becomes British Vogue’s First Black Editor-In-Chief

Blogged by @hshtgmike

In a historic move for the fashion industry, British Vogue has appointed Edward Enninful as its new Editor-in-Chief. The appointment makes Enninful the first man of color to edit a mainstream women’s magazine.

Enninful, a former model and stylist from Ghana, is currently the Creative and Fashion Director for W Magazine.

At the age of 16, Enninful began his career in fashion after he was scouted as a model. By 18, he had been made style editor at i-D Magazine. He then went on to work as Contributing Editor at Italian and American Vogue, before joining W Magazine in 2011.

Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue, called Enninful, “an influential figure in the communities of fashion, Hollywood, and music which shape the cultural zeitgeist.” Chairman Jonathan Newhouse cited his work at Italian Vogue as having reached “landmark status in recent cultural history.”

In 2016, Enninful was awarded an OBE for his services to fashion.

Though highly regarded in the fashion industry, Enninful was not initially a front-runner for the position. Last month, the London Evening Standard named him a “surprise outsider” amid speculation over who would be replacing current Editor, Alexandra Shulman.

Newhouse adds, “By virtue of his talent and experience, Edward Enninful is supremely prepared to assume the responsibility of British Vogue.

Enninful will take over the position from Alexandra Shulman this August.