Fashion's most iconic figures come together to bid farewell on the latest British Vogue cover, featuring original supermodels Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista. The star-studded lineup includes not only these legends but also influential personalities like Oprah Winfrey, Victoria Beckham, Dua Lipa, and Miley Cyrus, capturing a momentous tribute for the departing editor Edward Enninful.
The magazine's Instagram page features a captivating video showcasing a gathering at a New York studio, where all the stars were photographed by American photographer Steven Meisel. Adorned in simple black or white attire beneath a golden Vogue masthead, each woman contributes to the cover's allure, bearing the tagline: "Legendary! 40 Vogue icons. 1 epic shoot… The ultimate fashion issue."
Wrapping up seven transformative years as editor-in-chief, 51-year-old Edward Enninful pens his farewell with a legendary issue solely dedicated to women. His selection celebrates individuals who, beyond fashion and culture, have woven positive changes into the societal fabric throughout the 2020s, embodying subtle and profound influences.
Enninful writes in his farewell letter: "So here it is: my 76th and final edition of Vogue, six and a half years and 153 cover stars later, including the 40 legendary women who feature on this cover. It's been a truly amazing experience and an honor”.
British actors such as Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Gemma Chan, Jodie Comer, Maya Jama, and Rina Sawayama grace the diverse ensemble. This star-studded gathering includes Maya Jama, Rina Sawayama, Serena Williams, Iman, Selma Blair, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Vogue substantiated the authenticity of the collective photoshoot by sharing a video, dispelling any notion of individual photographs stitched together in Photoshop.
Enninful, upon assuming the role of editor at British Vogue, achieved the historic distinction of being the first male and the initial black editor to hold such a prestigious title. Although he has transitioned from the position of editor-in-chief, Enninful will continue his association with Condé Nast, taking on the role of Vogue's global creative and cultural adviser.
Enninful went to great lengths to keep the project under wraps, even resorting to covering the glass walls of his Vogue House office with brown paper to prevent prying eyes.
Personally selecting the 40 individuals, each of whom had been featured on the cover during his impactful editorship, he promptly reached out to them via email shortly after the announcement of his departure in June.
Jill Demling, the casting agent, was in charge of managing the celebrities. "I was in shock how it even came together," she said. Adding that she lost track of the amount of WhatsApp messages she exchanged while planning the 1,000-person shoot. “I'm always worried until they actually show up”.
Dame Pat McGrath, the renowned celebrity makeup artist hailing from Northampton, curated the overall aesthetic, described as 'natural, radiant, and powerful.' In tandem, the esteemed hairdresser Guido Palau led a team of skilled hair stylists.
Enninful is set to take on a fresh role dedicated to global brand growth while retaining his position as an editorial advisor for the title. The much-anticipated March issue of British Vogue will hit both digital platforms and newsstands on Tuesday, February 13th.
The spotlight now shifts to Chioma Nnadi, the London-born journalist set to succeed Enninful. The anticipation grows regarding her choice for the cover of her inaugural issue in March. Nnadi assumes the role of head of editorial content, a departure from the traditional editor-in-chief title. Notably, she makes history as the first black woman to helm the prestigious fashion magazine.
Image credit: https://www.vogue.co.uk/