Nick Knight Captures Major #BlackGirlMagic in 'A Certain Romance' for British Vogue November 2019

/

Nick Knight Captures Major #BlackGirlMagic in 'A Certain Romance' for British Vogue November 2019

Top models Adwoa Aboah, Anok Yai, Duckie Thot, Jourdan Dunn, Joan Smalls, Lineisy Montero, Shanelle Nyasiase, Tami Williams, Ugbad Abdi and Winnie Harlow gather in ‘A Certain Romance’, fearless fashion glamour styled by Edward Enninful. Photographer Nick Knight is behind the lens for British Vogue’s November 2019 cover story./ Hair by Jawara; makeup by Val Garland

British Vogue's September 2019 Issue Shares 'Forces for Change' Cover By Peter Lindbergh

/

British Vogue's September 2019 Issue Shares 'Forces for Change' Cover By Peter Lindbergh AOC Eye

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex guest edits British Vogue’s September 2019 issue, considered the most important issue of the year. Editor-in-chief-Edward Enninful invited Meghan to appear on the cover, but she declined, saying it would be considered “boastful”. With minions clamoring to criticize the Duchess at every turn in the road, declining was absolutely the correct decision.

Instead, the September 2019 British Vogue cover features 15 women who are “trailblazing changemakers, united by their fearlessness in breaking barriers”, according to a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.

The female ensemble of “trailblazing changemakers” includes activist actor Jane Fonda, climate change advocate, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and supermodel now maternal health advocate Christy Turlington Burns.

Naomi Campbell at Sea by Jamie Hawkesworth for British Vogue July 2019

/

Naomi Campbell at Sea by Jamie Hawkesworth for British Vogue July 2019 AOC Fashion

New on AOC: Supermodel Naomi Campbell follows sun and surf in ‘This Feeling’. styled by Edward Enninful. Photographer Jamie Hawkesworth captures Campbell for British Vogue July 2019./ Hair by Jawara

Steven Meisel Captures Zoe Kravitz in 'Grown-up Cool' for British Vogue July 2019

/

Steven Meisel Captures Zoe Kravitz in 'Grown-up Cool' for British Vogue July 2019

‘Big Little Lies’ star and new bride Zoë Kravitz covers the July 2019 issue of British Vogue. Legendary photographer Steven Meisel captures Kravitz in ‘Grown-up Cool’, styled by editor-in-chief Edward Enninful wearing Alexandre Vauthier, Atlier Versace, Chanel, Giambattista Valli, Iris van Herpen, Valentino and more.

Karlie Kloss Talks Leaving Victoria's Secret + Joining Judaism In British Vogue August Cover Story

/

Karlie Kloss Talks Leaving Victoria's Secret + Joining Judaism In British Vogue August Cover Story

Superstar Karlie Kloss covers the August 2019 issue of British Vogue, lensed by Steven Meisel. Karlie wears a Versace sweater and Bulgari jewelry styled by Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful, who chooses a fabulous gown by Marc Jacobs for one preview shot and Dior checks for another.

Now for the real story, which is Karlie delivering a loving gut punch to Victoria’s Secret, its second in two days. On Monday, NIKE made it known that they now sell more bras in North America than any other retailer.

Naomi Campbell Covers British Vogue March 2019, Lensed By Steven Meisel With Kendrick Sampson

/

Supermodel Naomi Campbell covers the March 2019 issue of British Vogue, her first under Edward Enninful’s role as editor-in-chief. Sharing his thoughts about the special cover and shoot styled by himself, Enninful said: “Of course, the photographer had to be Steven Meisel. When Naomi works with Meisel, she practically becomes a teenager again, shy and focused, and so it proved during our two-day shoot in New York together at the tail end of last year. They know each other so well that they don’t really need words. Dancers came in, Kendrick Sampson (an actor and activist we both admire) played the role of her lover, and even her driver was pulled in to orbit around her. I hope you enjoy the result. It is the story of a real woman – and a genuine icon. “

Speaking of Sampson being an activist, this is his tweet on this Sunday morning, NFL Superbowl Sunday.:

NFL is a perfect example of the fact that diversity ALONE doesn’t solve racism, & that racist culture of essentially “you can have a seat at the oppressive table as long as you don’t affect my toxic masculine white supremacy (& you better be grateful” is alive and thriving.

Fran Summers Channels British Invasion Of New York, Lensed By Inez & Vinoodh For Vogue UK November 2018

/

Fran Summers Channels British Invasion Of New York, Lensed By Inez & Vinoodh For Vogue UK November 2018

Rising model Fran Summers, a 19-year-old from North Yorkshire, covers the November 2018 issue of British Vogue, going solo after her May 2018 nine-model appearance. Vogue Edward-in-Chief Edward Enninful packs up elegant silhouettes from recent couture shows, recreating an ode to the British invasion of New York in the 1960s, lensed by Inez & Vinoodh.

Enninful muses that because Fran is a “proper beauty with universal appeal, there were actual gasps from onlookers as I walked her through the streets in her Dior gown. Literally, the crowds parted, taxis stopped, horns honked and the whole world seemed to stop and stare. She had arrived. It was, as we say in fashion, “a moment”.

Rihanna Is Floral Goddess In 'Rihanna Rules' By Nick Knight For Vogue UK September 2018

/

Rihanna Is Floral Goddess In 'Rihanna Rules' By Nick Knight For Vogue UK September 2018

Rihanna covers the September 2018 issue of British Vogue as the first black woman to front the mega September issue in 102 years. The superstar is styled by Edward Enninful for 'Rihanna Rules', lensed by Nick Knight./ Makeup by Isaaya Ffrench; hair by Yusef Williams

Rihanna Is First Black Woman To Cover British Vogue September Issue

/

Rihanna Is First Black Woman To Cover British Vogue September Issue

Rihanna covers the September 2018 issue of British Vogue, captured by fashion photographer Nick Knight. Vogue UK editor-in-chief Edward Enninful chooses a Prada dress and gloves and Savage X Fency lace bodysuit. Rihanna is the first black women to cover the blockbuster September issue of British Vogue in its 102-year history. / Makeup by Ismaya Ffrench; hair by Yusef Williams

Speaking about the new issue, Enninful writes (paragraphs out of orde3r):

“I always knew it had to be Rihanna,” editor-in-chief Edward Enninful wrote in his monthly editor’s letter. “A fearless music-industry icon and businesswoman, when it comes to that potent mix of fashion and celebrity, nobody does it quite like her. No matter how haute the styling goes, or experimental the mood, you never lose her in the imagery.”

Oprah Covers British Vogue August 2018, Telling Us To Embrace Activism & Happiness In Trumplandia

/

Oprah Covers British Vogue August 2018, Telling Us To Embrace Activism & Happiness In Trumplandia

Oprah dazzles in a series of bespoke fashion created for her by Erdem, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen in 'Oprah's Next Act', styled by British Vogue's Edward Enninful. Photographers Mert & Marcus capture Oprah as an empress sharing her thoughts on race, feminism, her Royal wedding appearance, the loves and losses in her life – and that rumored move into politics – in a rare one-on-one interview with writer Decca Aitkenhead./ Hair by Nicole Mangrum and Malcolm Edwards; make-up by Derrick Rutledge

Always America's spiritual healer, Oprah has choice words for Americans struggling under the onslaught of Donald Trump's dark, disruptive presidency. As for a presidential run, Oprah once again says 'no way'.

“In that political structure – all the non-truths, the bullshit, the crap, the nastiness, the backhanded backroom stuff that goes on – I feel like I could not exist,” Winfrey says. “I would not be able to do it. It's not a clean business. It would kill me.”

Winfrey goes on to explain how she squares her spirituality and self-help advocacy with the #Metoo and Time’s Up movements. "People talk about 'these are such dark times', but what if we shift the paradigm? Because I see it differently,” she asserts. “I see, 'Isn't this remarkable that we're waking up?' For years, women have endured craziness. This is what's happening to people. They're allowing themselves to not just become corroded, but to become hysterical. You've got to lean to the happiness."

In related news, Oprah will take that optimism to South Africa, joining Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Femi Kuti, Gayle King and Bozoma St. John in Johannesburg on Dec. 2 for the 2018  Global Citizen Festival, aimed at ending poverty by 2030. 

Oprah Covers British Vogue August 2018, Lensed By Mert & Marcus For Interview On Race, Feminism, & Her Future

/

Oprah Covers British Vogue August 2018, Lensed By Mert & Marcus For Interview On Race, Feminism, & Her Future

Updated July 3 w/Edward Enninful's Editor's Letter

Powerhouse Oprah Winfrey is the cover star of the August 2018 issue of British Vogue. Lensed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, and styled by Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, Oprah wears a custom-made taffeta gown by Stella McCartney and white-and-yellow-diamond and emerald earrings by Buccellati.

Inside the issue, the media icon discusses race, feminism, her Royal wedding appearance, the loves and losses in her life – and speculation that she may go into politics in a rare one-on-one interview with writer Decca Aitkenhead. The issue hits newsstands July 6. 

British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful released his editor's letter on Tuesday. It's a lovely tribute to Oprah. 

Of course, I wanted to do her as an empress. She is so magnificent, so awe-inspiring, and she really went with the idea. We approached six stars of British design to make bespoke fashions for her: Erdem, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. How fantastic to be able to put this global icon in a context that is so celebratory of British talent. Aside from that, Oprah absolutely loves clothes.

Craig McDean Captures 'Generation Next' With Edward Enninful's Vision For 21 Century Fashion Magazines

/

Craig McDean Captures 'Generation Next' With Edward Enninful's Vision For 21 Century Fashion Magazines

Models Vittoria Ceretti, Halima Aden, Adut Akech, Faretta Radic, Paloma Elsesser, Radhika Nair, Yoon Young Bae, Fran Summers & Selena Forrest show off their individual images for Vogue UK's cover-story breaking 'Generation Next'. Editor-in-chief Edward Enninful is in charge, with his long-time collaborator Craig McDean./ Hair by Orlando Pita; makeup by Diane Kendal

 

Denials Say Anna Wintour Is Going Nowhere As AOC Reflects On Edward Enninful's May 2018 New Fashion Army

/

These rumors are not true, a Vogue representative told the Cut. "There's zero truth to the story." Condé Nast also denied that Anna Wintour will be leaving the company.

I read the Page Six story before the denials. The source of this stunning rumor about a fashion industry executive, the grand high priestess whose influence cannot be overstated, is a report published on “Page Six” titled, “Is Anna Wintour Out at Vogue?”  The publication reportedly spoke to a number of sources who said Wintour is going to exit her role this summer after her daughter’s Bee Schaffer's wedding Francesco Carrozzini, son of former Italian Vogue Editor Franca Sozzani, in July. The report also speculated who would replace Wintour were she to leave Vogue, who might be encouraging her to exit, as well as what other opportunities might the 68 year old want to pursue.

Longtime Condé chairman Si Newhouse, who died in October 2017, was Anna Wintour's biggest cheerleader. In the Anna is leaving narrative, his presumed successor is Jonathan Newhouse, chairman of  Condé Nast International, currently living in London running the company's international media. According to Page Six, Jonathan "doesn't like (the amount of power) Anna has" and favors Enninful." This assertion comes from a single source.

Under Wintour’s watch as artistic director, Condé has closed the print editions of Teen Vogue, Self and Details and it has fought to compete online after closing down Style.com. Sources told The Post that the company is about $100 million a year in red ink.

So 'informed' is the Page Six story that it says there's even buzz that Wintour's exit interview has already been arranged and granted to the New York Times. 

Edward Enninful: Ghanaian Immigrant

Besides being as stunned as everyone else with this Page Six Story about Anna Wintour leaving Condé Nast, I couldn't help thinking about a short piece from yesterday about Edward Enninful's May 2018 British Vogue cover.

For additional context, Enningful is originally from Ghana and I had just watched the superb Netflix documentary 'Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise."  There is a scene in the film featuring Maya Angelou living in Ghana for a time immediately after independence. Of course I was captivated as Angelou was surrounded by global activists and intelligentsia including Malcolm X.

I made a joke to myself that any moment Queen Elizabeth II would appear, dancing a foxtrot with Ghana's new president Kwame Nkrumah. This episode from 'The Crown' and my commentary on it has become a tried and true daily read on AOC. With that Queen EIizabeth appeared with Nkrumah, leaving me smiling and wanting to know more about Edward Enninful's parents. Were they activists? Because Enninful has spoken truth to power on the need for diversity in fashion his entire life. 

This was the backdrop of my own Sunday thoughts on Enninful's May 2018 Vogue UK cover. We have a long way to go here before Edward Enninful replaces Anna Wintour at American Vogue. 

Edward Enninful's New Day Fashion Army

As We 'March for Our Lives' Edward Enninful Covers British Vogue May 2018 With A Different Fashion Army

/

As We 'March for Our Lives' Edward Enninful Covers British Vogue May 2018 With A Different Fashion Army

Vogue UK editor-in-chief Edward Enninful shares his thoughts about the 9 trailblazing models who cover the May 2017 issue. Whether you like it or not, Enninful hopes that the cover shot by long-time collaborator Craig McDean "defines everything we stand for as a magazine in 2018.

It's diverse in all ways: "race, size, socio-economic background, religion, sexuality". That's the statement with this cover. You can call it fashion light, a bland sandwich, or a 2018 vision of Mao's army -- one not looking at all like Olivier Rousteing's Balmain army. 

For an American, the timing is interesting because it comes against the backdrop of Florida's Parkland school shooting and last weekend's 'March for Our Lives' in DC and across America. The students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida have a lot on their minds and it's not fashion's current "it" bag.

The soul and spirit expressed by the Parkland students has something in common with two of Enninful's new cover girls: Halima Aden and Adut Akech, born in the same refugee camp in Kenya. Enninful writes that they are now standing at the top of their profession, an assertion that is rushing things a bit. Still, let that sink in. Two of these global beauties were born in the same refugee camp. The Parkland students, who just six weeks ago were diving under their desks as a former students decimated the ground beneath their feet with an automatic assault rifle, can relate to the reality of Halima and Adut. Not word for word. They have not laid their heads down to sleep in a refugee camp. But their world views encompasses peers who have.

Edward Enninful is asking us to view his British Vogue cover through this lens, adding Radhika Nair, Yoon Young Bae, Faretta, Fran Summers, Vittoria Ceretti, Paloma Elsesser and Selena Forrest to his May 2018 cover. 

Mariacarla Boscono Shares 'The Prada Perspective' By Jamie Hawkesworth For Vogue UK March 2018

/

Top model Mariacarla Boscono is styled by Edward Enninful in Prada -- lensed by Jamie Hawkesworth in the company of the designer Miuccia Prada for Vogue UK March 2018./ Hair by Sam McKnight; makeup by Lisa Butler

Taylor Swift Reflects On Reinvention, Lensed By Mert & Marcus For Vogue UK January 2018

/

British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful transforms Taylor Swift in the January 2018 cover editorial. Lensed by Mert & Marcus, Taylor shares a poem that reflects on the lessons learned as she moves forward. 

Adwoa Aboah Covers Enninful's British Vogue December 2017 Debut, Lensed By Steven Meisel

/

British model and girl of the moment Adwoa Aboah launches the December issue of Vogue UK, the first under new editor-in-chief Edward Enninful.  The EOC styles Aboah in Marc Jacobs for images by Steven Meisel. / Hair by Guido Palau; makeup by Pat McGrath

Eye: The All-Black 2018 Pirelli Calendar Is Perfect Timing For Tim Walker, Edward Enninful, Duckie Thot & Its All-Star Cast

/

Eye: The All-Black 2018 Pirelli Calendar Is Perfect Timing For Tim Walker, Edward Enninful, Duckie Thot & Its All-Star Cast

For the 45th Calendar edition, the British photographer Tim Walker applied his unmistakable style of extravagant sets, helped by set designer Shona Heath with styling by Edward Enninful, now Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue. 

Whoopi Goldberg joined the Pirelli cast for a 28-image calendar that significantly expanded the recent-years redefinition of the annual calendar beyond a vision of sexy, naked women eating bananas Terry Richardson style. 

Enninful explains the mission of Pierelli's 2018 all-black cast:  “To see a black Alice today means children of all races can embrace the idea of diversity from a very young age and also acknowledge that beauty comes in all colours. Culturally, we are living in a diverse world. Projects like this remarkable Pirelli Calendar demonstrate that there is still hope in what sometimes feels like an increasingly cynical reality.”

Walker's post as chief photographer said that the idea of a black Alice has been with him "for a long time". In fact the story has been a big influence throughout his career of captivating, extravagant fashionable storytelling. 

“I see the fashion world as wonderland,” he said. “Alice in Wonderland is a story that I have drawn upon for a long time. It has always been in my work. Alice for me is always there. I didn’t want to tell Alice as she had been told before. I didn’t want to be influenced by Disney’s interpretation or Tim Burton’s interpretation, I wanted to go back to the core of the imagination.”