Vogue is Back in Vogue
Under new editor Edward Enninful, British Vogue is striving for a more contemporary and diverse image. And boy does its December issue demonstrate results!
Enninful was named as the editor-in-chief of British Vogue back in September, replacing incumbent Alexandra Shulman. He has been vocal about the change he hopes to catalyze at the magazine:
"My Vogue is about being inclusive," said Enninful. "It is about diversity - showing different women, different body shapes, different races, different classes [and] tackling gender."
And, as of yet, he's doing pretty well. His debut issue included features with figures ranging from supermodel Kate Moss, to grime artist Skepta, to London mayor Sadiq Khan. And the cover features no mention of provocative pants, bulging bags, or controversial crocs. Instead, Enninful offers a list of artistic and political powerhouses.
With Adwoa Aboah as the cover star, accompanied by a tag line of 'Great Britain,' the magazine made a statement about diversity and advocacy in the fashion industry. Aboah - who was named model of the year at London's Fashion Awards - has, among other things, established Gurls Talk, an organization for young women aimed at empowerment and education. She represents a new form of fashion framed in change, and choosing her to front his first edition was a very conscious decision on Enninful's part.
Yet one cannot judge a book by its cover, or an editor by their primary print. So hold back the flowers and hyperbolic statements, and let's see whether Enninful is really in this for the long haul. Nonetheless, this is undeniably an immesnly strong start.
Feature image via