You must’ve been living under a rock not to know that Edward Enninful’s final issue of British Vogue has since dropped, and he’s officially out the door as editor-in-chief of the British fashion bible (and European editorial director) – following a rather remarkable 7-year tenure. Enninful sent shockwaves through the industry when back in June 2023 the formidable fashion figure announced he was to depart the magazine and step into the newly-created role of Condé Nast’s global creative and cultural advisor at Vogue.
76 issues, six and a half years and 153 cover stars (inducing the 40 Vogue icons who posed on Enninful’s last cover), Edward’s tenure at British Vogue has been a wild and unforgettable ride.
Ahead of Chioma Nnadi‘s first issue (which is set to drop March 14), we’re looking back at 23 times in which Edward Enninful broke the internet (and theFashionSpot forums) with British Vogue‘s front covers. From Judi Dench (at 85) becoming the magazine’s oldest cover star in history to giving up the cover to key workers during the global health crisis and bestowing upon us Steven Meisel-shot covers with the most super of supermodels to making bold statements against racial and social injustice – scroll further for the full selection:
December 2017 with Adwoa Aboah by Steven Meisel:
Edward meant business from the get-go and revolutionized British Vogue within an instant. For his first cover, Enninful called upon legendary photographer Steven Meisel to capture British model Adwoa Aboah for a glossy and glamorous cover which was about to set the tone for what was to follow…
March 2018 with Gigi Hadid & Bella Hadid by Steven Meisel:
Long-time collaborator and friend Steven Meisel was back on the books for March 2018, this time photographing sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid for a duo of sultry covers.
May 2018 by Craig McDean:
Diversity has reigned supreme throughout Enninful’s tenure and he welcomed a whole bunch of models who were changing the face of fashion including Vittoria Ceretti, Halima Aden, Adut Akech, Faretta Radic, Paloma Elsesser, Yoon Young Bae, Fran Summers and Selena Forrest for May 2018, who assembled before the lens of photographer Craig McDean.
August 2018 with Oprah Winfrey by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott:
Edward welcomed Oprah Winfrey as the magazine’s August 2028 cover star, to much fanfare and celebration. For Enninful to have landed someone as high-profile and Ms. Winfrey was undoubtedly a major feat, and it was just an added bonus that the Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott-shot cover photograph was absolutely dazzling.
September 2018 with Rihanna by Nick Knight:
Enninful’s first September issue as editor of British Vogue did not disappoint – and made history. Rihanna become the first black woman to appear on the magazine’s September cover as she posed for photographer Nick Knight.
December 2018 with Adut Akech, Stella Tennant, Saffron Vadher & Primrose Archer by Steven Meisel:
As a holiday treat, Enninful bestowed upon us not one but four fabulously festive Steven Meisel-shot covers for December 2018. Models Adut Akech, the late Stella Tennant, Saffron Vadher and Primerose Archer made appearances on the collectable covers which were a total must-have.
May 2019 with Kate Moss by Mikael Jansson, Jamie Hawkesworth & Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin:
What is British Vogue without Kate Moss? Edward knew the score with the unveiling of the magazine’s May 2019 installment, as he gave the iconic Brit model her 40th British Vogue cover appearance across three celebratory covers, shot by three different photographers.
June 2019 with Madonna by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott:
A whole three decades after her last, Enninful had Madonna back on the cover of British Vogue, who posed in the bathtub in the cinematic black and white cover photograph, lensed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott.
September 2019 by Peter Lindbergh:
Always a one for grabbing headlines, Enninful welcomed Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex as guest-editor for September 2019. A total of 15 women captured by Peter Lindbergh made the front cover of the sell-out issue which was dedicated to ‘forces for change’.
April 2020 with Jodie Comer by Steven Meisel:
Sometimes all we need is a downright gorgeous cover photograph to win us over, and British Vogue‘s April 2020 cover with Jodie Comer done just that. Shot by forum favorite Steven Meisel, the cover gave us all the feels for Vogue covers during the 80s. American Vogue’s August 1986 cover with Cindy Crawford by Richard Avedon to be exact.
May 2020 with Rihanna by Steven Klein:
Edward Enninful gave us Rihanna (via the lens of Steven Klein) as the first to sport a durag on the May 2020 covers of British Vogue.
June 2020 with Judi Dench by Nick Knight:
Another month, another accomplishment. Judi Dench became British Vogue‘s oldest cover star throughout the magazine’s 104-year history. At 85, the legendary British actress posed for famed British photographed Nick Knight in floral Dolce & Gabbana.
July 2020 by Jamie Hawkesworth:
Amid the global health crisis, unable to provide us with conventional fashion cover shoots, Enninful dropped three awe-inspiring covers for July 2020. Shot by photographer Jamie Hawkesworth, key works (including Narguis Horsford, a train driver on the London Overground, Rachel Millar, a community midwife in east London, and Anisa Omar, a supermarket worker in Kings Cross) were given the glory as cover stars.
April 2021 with Achenrin Madit, Precious Lee, Mona Tougaard & Janaye Furman by Steven Meisel:
A strong sense of joy was radiating from not one but four joyous and celebratory April 2021 covers lensed by Enninful favorite Steven Meisel, featuring models Achenrin Madit, Precious Lee, Mona Tougaard and Janaye Furman.
June 2021 with Billie Eilish by Craig McDean:
Billie Eilish’s makeover on British Vogue‘s June 2021 cover made headlines around the world. The American singer-songwriter tried on a Marilyn Monroe-esque new look via the lens of Craig McDean.
November 2021 with Adele by Steven Meisel:
Edward’s British Vogue trumped Anna Wintour’s American Vogue when the sister publications shared the same cover star for November 2021. Enninful chose Steven Meisel to profile the British songstress who dialed up the glamour for a downright stunning portrait image.
February 2022 by Rafael Pavarotti:
Adut Akech, Anok Yai, Majesty Amare, Amar Akway, Janet Jumbo, Maty Fall, Nyagua Ruea, Abény Nhial and Akon Changkou made history back in February 2022, starring on British Vogue‘s first cover to feature an all-African cast of models.
June 2023 with Gisele Bündchen by Steven Meisel:
As to be expected… Gisele Bündchen, Steven Meisel and Edward Enninful on styling duties was a recipe for pure unapologetic glamour. What more could one possibly ask for?
September 2023 with Linda Evangelista by Steven Meisel:
Edward Enninful helped cement Linda Evangelista’s triumphant comeback in September of 2023, insisting she reunite with photographer Steven Meisel in the process. Supermodel + September = SUPERB!
October 2023 with Timothée Chalamet by Steven Meisel:
Enninful’s October 2023 issue of British Vogue gave us Thimothée Chalamet as the fashion bible’s first solo male cover star.
January 2023 with Iman by Nadine Ijewere:
Enninful kick-started 2023 with a duo of delightful Iman covers, who posed for photographer Nadine Ijewere. The covers oozed an old-school charm and the fact a legend like Iman was on the cover felt like a cause for celebration in itself.
May 2023 with Sinéad Burke, Selma Blair, Aaron Rose Philip, Ellie Goldstein & Justina Miles by Adama Jalloh:
For May 2023, Enninful dropped a series of five covers devoted to the new vanguard of disabled talents reshaping society. The landmark issue also marked the first time the magazine was printed in braille.
March 2024 by Steven Meisel:
What better way for Enninful to wrap up his tenure than with 40 Vogue icons, who’ve each appeared on covers throughout his time as editor? A pretty impressive feat which makes for a pretty impressive and celebratory cover. Bravo, Edward!
