Page 19 - Powerlist 2019 - Digital Edition

9 The Top 10

Edward
Enninful

Editor-in-chief,
British Vogue

nfluential and capable of shaping the cultural zeitgeist, He gained his degree at Goldsmiths University in London
king of the UK fashion industry Edward Enninful while juggling modelling work and assisting on shoots.
Ihas transformed British Vogue into a magazine for the His big break came the day after his 18th birthday, when
modern era. Summers left and he was appointed i-D fashion director
When he was announced as the editor-in-chief of British – the youngest person to be appointed to such a role at an
Vogue, he became the first man, and the first person of international publication.
colour, to hold the position in the magazine’s 101-year history. His reputation continued to grow and in 1998 he became
In just over a year in the role, he has revitalised the a contributing editor to Italian Vogue. There he produced the
publication and has made it more ethnically diverse that it ground-breaking Black Issue featuring only black models,
has ever been. including Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and Alek Wek. The
His bold covers have included Oprah Winfrey, Adwoa issue was so successful that owners Condé Nast had to print
Aboah and Rhianna. He also persuaded showbiz power an extra 40,000 copies.
family the Beckhams to appear together for the first time in a In 2011 he became fashion and style director of W magazine
magazine shoot. and sales shot up during his time there – the magazine’s ad
Born in Ghana to a seamstress mother, Edward and his pages went up 16.2 per cent.
family moved to Ladbroke Grove in west London when he was Edward’s success has been highlighted with a number of
a young child. prestigious awards and appearances. In 2014, he scooped
His entry into fashion was serendipitous. Aged 16, he was the prestigious Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator
spotted by a modelling scout while travelling on the Tube. at the British Fashion Awards and the Clio Excellence in
By the following year, he was working as an assistant to i-D Commercial Styling Award in 2015. He was awarded an OBE
fashion director Beth Summers. in 2016 for services to diversity in the fashion industry.

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