By Leisha Chi-Santorelli

BBC News Culture

British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful will be stepping down from his role
after six years of breaking boundaries at the top fashion magazine.

The 51-year-old will remain as an editorial advisor to the UK title but move into a
newly-created job next year aimed at growing the brand globally.

His new portfolio as Vogue's global creative and cultural advisor will also allow
him to take on external projects.

Enninful will be involved with the recruitment search for his successor.

The Ghanaian-British creative is the first black man to hold the top job at the
British fashion magazine.

British Vogue recently featured its first disabled models, including actress Selma
Blair who lives with multiple sclerosis and Ellie Goldstein, a 21-year-old model
with Down's syndrome.

In an interview last year about his favourite Vogue covers, Enninful said the
inspiration behind his first one in December 2017 featuring mixed race model Adwoa
Aboah was aimed at resetting "the image of modern Britain".

"It was important to create a cover that represented the Britain of today, a
multicultural society where everyone was welcome - where my family was welcome," he
said.
Media caption,

British Vogue Editor Edward Enninful speaks to the Today Programme about their May
cover, which features disabled models.

Other notable cover stars from Enninful's time as editor include:

Timothée Chalamet, who was the first man to grace the cover in October 2022
Dame Judi Dench, who became the oldest star to appear on the cover of British
Vogue in June 2020, aged 85
Climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was the cover star for September 2019's
Forces for Change issue, edited by the Duchess of Sussex
Three front-line workers from London, who featured in an issue during the Covid
pandemic
Footballer Marcus Rashford, who was part of the Vogue activism issue in
September 2020 which Enninful described as a "rallying cry for the future". He was
photographed by Misan Harriman, making him the first black male photographer to
shoot a British Vogue cover

Last month, Enninful attended the King and Queen's Coronation. He has helped the
King's charity, the Prince's Trust, with its work in Africa and worldwide as a
global ambassador.
Edward Enninful and Kate Perry at the CoronationImage source, Reuters
Image caption,
Edward Enninful, pictured alongside singer Katy Perry, attended the Coronation of
King Charles and Queen Camilla last month

Enninful has been a high-profile champion for greater inclusivity in the fashion
industry.
He took over as editor-in-chief of British Vogue in August 2017 from Alexandra
Shulman, who had been in the job for 25 years. One of his first priorities was to
diversify his staff at the publication.

And in 2018, model and writer Paris Lees became the first openly transgender woman
to be featured in British Vogue as part of a feature celebrating 100 years since
women have had the right to vote in the UK.

Enninful has been open about his struggles with racism and being a black gay man.

A few years ago, while working as editor-in-chief, Enninful said he was racially
profiled after being told to "use the loading bay" by a security guard as he
entered work.

In interviews with the BBC, he has also shared concerns about losing his eyesight,
his struggles with alcoholism and being estranged from his father for 15 years.

British Vogue's contributing European sustainability editor Dana Thomas told the
BBC she was "thrilled" by the news of his new role.

"This gives him more freedom to do what he does best, and what clearly brings him
joy, which is the creation of beauty," she said.

"His influence has been immense. I write for British Vogue because I found him so
inspiring. His leadership in the areas of inclusivity, diversity, and
sustainability - what he calls the three pillars of British Vogue - have been
unmatched in any publication."
Selma Blair on the cover of British VogueImage source, Vogue
Image caption,
Selma Blair on the cover of British Vogue
1px transparent line

In a memo sent to Vogue staff, Enninful said he would "continue to contribute to

the creative and cultural success of the Vogue brand globally" in his newly-created
job, "whilst having the freedom to take on broader creative projects".

A head of editorial content for British Vogue will also be hired, 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 Roger Lynch, the chief executive
officer of publishers Condé Nast, "for their continued support".
Related Topics

Fashion design
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Fashion

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Published
21 April

1:48
Edward Enninful
Vogue editor says losing his sight is biggest fear