June 2, 2023 |
Edward Enninful is moving on, and marching up in the world! Taking on a new, global role at Condé Nast from 2024, after stepping away from his post as editor-in-chief of British Vogue, fashion’s leading man will become the global creative and cultural adviser at Vogue, as well as the editorial adviser at British Vogue.
Enninful, who has been working with Condé Nast for more than 25 years, will continue to contribute to the Vogue brand globally “while having the freedom to take on broader creative projects,” according to a memo obtained by WWD from a Condé Nast spokesperson.
The Ghanaian-British maestro took over as editor-in-chief of British Vogue in August 2017 and was the first black man to assume the role. Kicking off his tenure with a December issue covered by Adwoa Aboah and interspersed with interviews with a diverse collection of Brits from Naomi Campbell to Skepta, he was later promoted to European editorial director of Vogue in 2020. Setting the tone for the rest of his chiefship, Enninful oversaw many firsts for the iconic publication – including its first cover featuring a hijab-wearing model in May 2018 and the first visibly disabled cover star in September 2019. Leaving one hell of a legacy, Enninful has used his unique perspective as a black, queer man to make the publication a more democratic and welcoming space.
Speaking on the promotion, Enninful noted it came off the back of discussions with US Vogue head honcho Anna Wintour and Condé Nast Inc’s chief executive officer Roger Lynch. The discussions surrounded Enninful playing a “broader role in enhancing Vogue globally” and he is set to do just that. The fashion juggernaut is particularly interested in the intersection between fashion, technology and retail, explaining in an interview with WWD that “this is what fashion is really dealing with now” and it’s an important area to focus on.
Enninful has always been quite relaxed about the future of his career. Speaking in an interview on his 2022 memoir A Visible Man, the editor stated that “When I started [at British Vogue] in 2017, I was dealing with a magazine. Today, I’m dealing with a brand that includes print, digital, audio, video and podcasts, which is so exciting for somebody who’s so forward looking. At the moment, I’m really happy doing what I’m doing. I never plan for whatever the future brings, whether it’s in this industry, or another. I’m open. Anything’s possible”.
Despite his nonchalance, it’s likely great things are on the horizon for Enninful, even beyond this recent promotion. Tipped to be Wintour’s heir, Enninful is sure to be a part of the fabric and future Conde Nast, and – starting today – is on the hunt for the new head of editorial content at British Vogue. ‘Big shoes to fill’ is quite the understatement, but with the shrewd and inclusive perspective he weaves inro to everything he does, we’re excited to see who makes the cut.
A trailblazer to say the least, Enninful’s rise through the ranks is a welcome sight and we are ecstatic to see what he does with this far-reaching and influential position.
Photography by Mert and Marcus. Text by Emily Phillips and Bella Koopman.
