Chioma Nnadi will replace Edward Enninful as head of editorial content for fashion magazine British Vogue, its publisher said Tuesday, becoming the first black woman to fill the coveted role.
Nnadi has been at the magazine for 13 years, starting as a writer before assuming the post of fashion news director and her current role as digital editor at the US Vogue.
The announcement ends months of speculation about who would replace Enninful, 51, who carved his place in Vogue history as the first male, first black and first gay editor.
The former model and stylist took over in 2017 amid a blaze of publicity, touted as a fresh and diverse face who could modernise the magazine.
But reports in recent years have suggested a power struggle with Vogue global editorial director Anna Wintour who he had hoped to succeed.
“Chioma is beloved among her colleagues at Vogue, and is an editor and writer with an impeccable reputation—both here and in the fashion industry at large,” said Wintour in a statement.
“I’m so grateful to Edward Enninful for everything he’s accomplished at British Vogue, and we’re all looking forward to a productive and creative relationship with him in his new role,” she added.
Enninful is expected to take up a global advisory position at Vogue.
Fashion guru Wintour said London-born Nnadi had been able to connect the magazine with a digital audience and extend its reach across various platforms.
She was born to a Swiss-German mother and a Nigerian father who came to the UK in the 1960s.
The new magazine chief said she was “beyond excited and honoured” to be taking on one of fashion’s most influential jobs.
AFP