Edward Enninful has tapped Adwoa Aboah to cover his first issue of British Vogue as editor-in-chief. The fashion stylist was named as the new editor of the fashion publication in April, succeeding Alexandra Shulman and promising to promote inclusivity and diversity within his editorials. Edward unveiled his fresh take on Vogue on Tuesday night, with British model Adwoa gracing the cover image, which was snapped by famed photographer Steven Meisel in his first cover and editorial story for a U.K. magazine in 25 years. Stars in attendance at the cover launch included supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and fashion designer Stella McCartney.
STORY: British Vogue appoints Edward Enninful as first ever male editor-in-chief
Vogue cover star Adwoa Aboah with Edward Enninful
"Being on this cover is the biggest thing that's happened in my career," Adwoa said in a statement, adding that she believes Enninful will champion the next wave of models. "I love being a mixed-race woman in 2017. I feel part of something big. There's this understanding that we're all in it together."
Stella McCartney and Kate Moss were among the A-list guests
Adwoa has modelled for the likes of Calvin Klein, Fendi, Alexander Wang, Erdem and Kenzo, and also landed a part in the Hollywood remake of Ghost in the Shell. In addition to her modelling work, the 25-year-old runs an organisation for young women called Gurls Talk, and she hopes to use her platform within the fashion industry to promote issues close to her heart.
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"There is this newfound love and space for activism within fashion," the model added. "I never would have dreamt in a million years that I would have young girls coming up to me at Glastonbury or on the streets of L.A., New York, London, and telling me how much Gurls Talk or seeing my picture in a magazine means to them, as a woman of colour."
Edward's first British Vogue cover was unveiled on Tuesday
Edward has appointed make-up maven Pat McGrath, filmmaker Steve McQueen, editor Grace Coddington and models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell as contributing editors. The issue also features designers Christopher Bailey, Simone Rocha and John Galliano, and he believes that even amidst the rise of social media, print will always have a place in fashion.
"It's the most beautiful, curated version, close to a book, where you show the best photography, the best writers, the best fashion," he told WWD. "Digital, for me, just helps you enhance. I don't see them as separate, but almost as one organism." The December issue will be available on newsstands and for digital download on Friday (10Nov17).
