An fabulous fashion first: Vogue’s new editor is a black gay man

For the first time in Vogue’s history a black gay man has been appointed the editor in chief of the British edition of the famous fashion publication.

On Monday, Condé Nast International chairman and chief executive Jonathan Newhouse announced that fashion stylist Edward Enninful will replace outgoing editor Alexandra Shulman.

Enninful, 45, will start his new job as from the 1st of August. Newhouse called him “an influential figure in the communities of fashion, Hollywood and music which shape the cultural zeitgeist”.

And that he certainly is. Enninful’s Instagram account is replete with images of him hanging out with the likes of Madonna, Michelle Obama, Barbra Streisand, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell

Newhouse added that, “by virtue of his talent and experience, Edward is supremely prepared to assume the responsibility of British Vogue”.

The Ghana-born Enninful is currently the fashion and creative director at W Magazine. He moved to the UK at an early age and started his career in fashion when he was spotted by a model scout in London as a 16-year-old.

Astonishingly, he became fashion editor of i-D magazine at the tender age of 18 and has since worked for publications such as Italian Vogue and American Vogue.

Enninful has also consulted on numerous high-fashion campaigns and runway shows for the likes of Comme des Garçons, Christian Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Calvin Klein, Gucci, and many others.

In 2016, he was given an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II. It is believed that he is the first black man to edit an international mainstream women’s fashion magazine.

Reacting to the news, acclaimed fashion designer Marc Jacobs tweeted: “Congratulations to our longtime friend @Edward_Enninful, the new editor of British Vogue! We can’t wait to see what you do! ❤️”