{"id":824,"date":"2017-06-21T06:30:35","date_gmt":"2017-06-21T05:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/insider.utelier.com\/?post_type=features&p=824"},"modified":"2019-08-07T07:52:04","modified_gmt":"2019-08-07T06:52:04","slug":"edward-enninful-is-ushering-the-dawn-of-a-new-era-for-british-fashion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fashioninsiders.co\/features\/inspiration\/edward-enninful-is-ushering-the-dawn-of-a-new-era-for-british-fashion\/","title":{"rendered":"Edward Enninful is ushering the dawn of a new era for British Fashion"},"content":{"rendered":"
Out with the old guard and in with the new.<\/p>\n
These were my thoughts when the news broke that Edward Enninful was to be appointed an editor of British Vogue.<\/p>\n
That, coupled with sheer joy.<\/p>\n
At last a well-established British institution was opening its mind to change. Change not only in the form of overhauling the image and reach of the magazine to welcome the influential millennial readers, but change in demographic terms also.<\/p>\n
As a black, gay male Edward Enninful couldn’t be further from the magazine’s previous editors, Alexandra Shulman, Elizabeth Tilberis<\/a> and Anna Wintour. In fact, Enninful\u2019 presence will be in stark contrast to Vogue’s stable of white middle-class women. In addition to this, his championing of diversity is something to be revered. It would be so easy to be in his position and to continue with the tired one-sided representation of the fashion world.<\/p>\n Diversity aside, what does his appointment actually mean for British Vogue?<\/p>\n In my opinion, London is the home of street style, where original ideas are born and experiments are made. Under Shulman’s hugely successful 25-year tenure at British Vogue, I never felt the magazine really reflected this. With a background in fashion journalism and as a published author she grew up in Belgravia. The readership reflected her background as it appealed to a middle to upper-class ideology of a fashion style for ladies who lunch, rich kids and the landed gentry. Her constant use of high profile established designers and the inclusion of a society page set Vogue\u2019s tone of voice and established itself as one that was defined by the oh so fashionable London neighbourhoods that are the stomping ground of British Vogue. Notably, West London to be precise, with the Notting Hill set and Portobello stalwarts.<\/p>\n Enninful, while hailing from a Ladbroke Grove that was much poorer than it is now, has a very different point of view. His fashion career began on the other side of the camera. Discovered by the super stylist, Simon Foxton<\/a>, Enninful was indoctrinated into the fashion world when he modelled for Simon at his house in the late 80\u2019s. He was then introduced to Terry and Trish Jones, the owners of ID magazine<\/a>. He worked there, initially assisting Beth Summers, until he was appointed fashion director. He held the position from the age of 18, becoming the youngest ever fashion director of an international publication, and remained there for two decades. His quirky edgy elegance became his calling card and he drew much of his inspiration from the streets. As he himself said, \u2018We British have to customise our clothes, we have to be more creative, informing who you are \u2013 and I am still obsessed with the streets.\u2019<\/p>\n Edward Enninful’s irreverent take on fashion was exposed further when he became Italian Vogue’s contributing editor in 1998. Working with the late Franca Sozzani<\/a> and the American photographer Steven Meisel<\/a> allowed him to mature as a stylist. It also introduced him to other British “behind the scenes” talents such as the make-up artist Pat Magrath, hair stylist Eugene Souleimann and photographer Craig McDean. He collaborated with them and created fashion stories that were often infused with a strong narrative and provocative elegance. Their talent, no doubt, will continue to be used while Enninful is at Vogue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nRelated reading: Anna Wintour and other fashion icons’ documentaries list<\/a><\/h5>\n