British Vogue appoints its first ever black MALE editor

Edward Enninful has been announced as the new editor of British Vogue, making him the first ever black male editor at the helm of the fashion bible.

Enninful, who hails from Ghana and is the son of a seamstress, has been fashion and creative director at W Magazine since 2011 and pipped Samantha Cameron's sister, Emily Sheffield, who is currently the magazine's deputy, to the coveted role.

Enninful, 44, will assume his role on August 1 and Condé Nast International chairman and chief executive, Jonathan Newhouse, says he is 'supremely prepared'.

Enninful won an OBE in 2016 for services to diversity within the fashion industry so his appointment as the Editor of the world's biggest fashion magazine is a sign of the times. He also spearheaded Vogue Italia’s Black Issue, which he hoped would end the 'white-out that dominates the catwalks and magazines.'

The magazine, which featured only black models such as Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell, was such a sell-out success that 40,000 more copies had to be printed to meet demand. 

In a statement, Jonathan Newhouse dubbed Enninful 'an influential figure in the communities of fashion, Hollywood and music which shape the cultural zeitgeist' and said that 'by virtue of his talent and experience, Edward is supremely prepared to assume the responsibility of British Vogue.'

Enninful, who grew up in London as one of six children, was scouted as a model age 16 and has gone on to become one of the most famous faces in fashion, counting Naomi Campbell as a best friend. He has a penchant for partying and is regularly seen at the hottest fashion events.

EDWARD ENNINFUL'S FASHIONABLE RISE TO FAME

• Born in Ghana in 1973
• Moved to Ladbroke Grove, London, with his seamstress mother, father and six sibling
• Model scouted by Simon Foxton on a train age 16
• Became youngest ever assistant on i-D magazine age 16
• Studied at Goldsmiths University alongside his modelling career
• Landed a full-time job as fashion director of i-D aged 18
• Became contributing editor of Vogue Italia in 1998
• Spearheaded 'Black Issue' featuring only black models such as Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell
• Became American Vogue's contributing fashion editor in 2006
• Announced as fashion and style director of W Magazine in 2011
• Boosted ad pages by 16 per cent in 2012
• Awarded an OBE in 2016 for his services to diversity in the fashion industry
• Announced as the new editor of British Vogue on April 10 2017