Edward Enninful will step down as editor-in-chief of British Vogue after six years of pushing boundaries at the premier fashion magazine.
In 2019, the 51-year-old will become an international brand ambassador while remaining an editorial advisor for the UK journal.
His new position as a global creative and cultural advisor for Vogue will also permit him to undertake external initiatives.
Enninful will participate in the quest for his successor’s replacement.
The Ghanaian-British designer is the first person of color to occupy the position of editor-in-chief at the British fashion magazine.
Recently, British Vogue featured its first disabled models, including Selma Blair, an actress with multiple sclerosis. And Ellie Goldstein, a model with Down syndrome who is 21 years old.
Enninful stated in a 2017 interview about his preferred Vogue covers that his December 2017 cover featuring the mixed-race model Adwoa Aboah was intended to “reset the image of modern Britain.”
“It was important to create a cover that represented the Britain of today, a multicultural society where everyone is welcome – where my family is welcome,” he explained.
Other noteworthy cover models during Enninful’s tenure as editor include:
In October 2022, Timothée Chalamet was the first male to grace the cover.
Dame Judi Dench, 85, was British Vogue’s oldest cover star in June 2020.
The climate activist Greta Thunberg graced the September 2019 issue of Forces for Change, edited by the Duchess of Sussex.
Three London-based frontline employees appeared in an issue during the Covid pandemic.
Enninful referred to the September 2020 Vogue activism issue featuring footballer Marcus Rashford as a “rallying cry for the future” Misan Harriman photographed him, making him the first black male photographer to capture the cover of British Vogue.
Enninful witnessed the coronation of the King and Queen last month. As a global ambassador, he has assisted the Prince’s Trust with its activities in Africa and around the world.
Enninful has been a prominent advocate for increased diversity in the fashion industry.
After 25 years as British Vogue editor-in-chief, he succeeded Alexandra Shulman in August 2017. One of his top priorities was to diversify his publication’s personnel.
And in 2018, model and author Paris Lees became the first openly transgender woman to be featured in British Vogue as part of a feature commemorating 100 years since British women gained the right to vote.
Enninful has been transparent about his struggles with racism and being a black homosexual male.
As editor-in-chief, Enninful said a security guard advised him to “use the loading bay” when he entered the office.
He also discussed his fears of losing his eyesight, his struggles with alcoholism, and his 15-year estrangement from his father.
Dana Thomas, a contributing European sustainability editor for British Vogue, told that she was “thrilled” by his new position.
“This gives him more freedom to do what he does best, and what brings him joy, which is the creation of beauty,” she said.
“His influence has been immense. I write for British Vogue because he inspired me so much. “His leadership in inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability—the three pillars of British Vogue—is unmatched.”
Enninful stated in a memo to Vogue employees that he would “continue to contribute to the creative and cultural success of the Vogue brand globally” in his newly-created position, “while also having the freedom to pursue broader creative projects.”
In addition, a head of editorial content will be hired for British Vogue, he said, adding, “For now, everything remains the same, and I’m so excited about what the future holds for us.
Enninful thanked editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and publisher Condé Nast’s chief executive officer Roger Lynch “for their ongoing support.”
