The departure of Alexandra Shulman, the longest serving editor in British Vogue history came as a shock as the news swept across all media outlets, fashion based or not. With the release of the 'Inside Vogue' book and BBC documentary for the 100th anniversary of the publication it certainly was a pinnacle time to conclude her reign. As the new editor-in-cheif Edward Enninful was announced, Vogue's direction was about to change and the future of everything it stands for challanged.
When people think of Vogue, they think high fashion, this untouchable you can't sit with us crowd and the devil wears Prada. This facade has gone on for as long as I can remember, the superficial face of fashion. Whilst I think it should offer something to strive towards and appriciate that the surrealism of the editorials are a form of escape, they were loosing any form of message. The only message that was loud and clear was it wasn't achievable. Over edited images airbrushing one form of model with more adverts than articles. I didn't ever find myself reaching for it on the shelves because I couldn't relate and underneath I was frustrated by the lack of representation.
With the recent image of the staff at Vogue placed in one their issues, it was another disheartening thing to view and digest as a woman of colour working in fashion. There was an array of caucasian members of staff but I don't remember seeing one person of colour across the image let alone at the top. By Edward Enninful taking on the role of editor-in-cheif brings hope for so many young professionals like myself that we can achieve equality in the work place. His background in fashion is impressive having been appointed fashion director of British fashion magazine i-D at the age 18, then fashion and creative director at W Magazine. His resume doesn't end their playing a major role at Italian Vogue, for the “Black Issue" which featured only black models. If his past record is anything to go by then things are finally about to change for the better.
Adwoa Aboah is the first cover girl of the #NewVogue, which also marks the third time a black model has posed solo on the cover, EVER. Just let that sink in. I think this makes the perfect choice as a British fashion model who is a feminist activist and British Fashion Council ambassador. With both of British and Ghanaian descent she represents her own heritage by wearing a printed headscarf, diamond earrings, and colourful makeup, giving off a vintage Vogue feel. Photographed by Steven Meisel his first cover and editorial story for a British magazine in 25 years, Aboah isn't the only one making a statement. Together they have created a 14-page shoot in the December 2017 edition, styled by the new editor-in-chief himself.
#NewVogue aims to celebrate Great Britain through the talented, diverse creatives who brilliantly represent it, both at home and on the world stage. The strength of modern Britain is found in its diversity which is now to be translated through fashion. This new beginning for the magazine brings in key topics including politics for example the discussion with London Mayor, Sadiq Khan. In his interview he mentioned "If you are different you aren't just tolerated, you are accepted, celebrated and embraced". Edward echo's his thoughts stating “It is about diversity - showing different women, different body shapes, different races, different classes and tackling gender.”
This is a day and a moment you will want to remember for all the right reasons. Show your support, it is on newsstands from November 10th - I know I will be picking up mine!
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