Nnadi to become first Black woman to edit the fashion magazine
Anna Wintour has appointed Chioma Nnadi as the new head of editorial content at British Vogue, succeeding outgoing editor-in-chief Edward Enninful. This decision comes after months of speculation about who would replace Enninful, who made history as Vogue's first Black editor-in-chief in 2017. Chioma Nnadi, who is currently the editor of the US edition's website, will become the first Black woman to edit the fashion magazine.
Nnadi, a New York-based Londoner, credits her Nigerian father for sparking her passion for fashion. She spoke about the pressure of taking on this role at Vogue, acknowledging that it holds cultural significance and represents more than just a magazine.
Her new role will focus on "digital storytelling" and maintaining Vogue's interactivity with readers. This move is part of a broader shift in which the editors of Vogue's European editions have been replaced by global heads following Conde Nast's company-wide restructuring in 2020.
Anna Wintour described Nnadi as a "beloved" colleague who will bring a focus on "music and culture" in addition to fashion, positioning Vogue for the future.
Chioma Nnadi grew up in central London, with a Swiss-German nurse mother and a Nigerian father who came to the UK to study in the 1960s. She worked at independent magazines like the Fader and Trace before joining London's Evening Standard. She moved to New York in 2010 to work for Vogue and has been running the US site.
Nnadi acknowledged that comparisons might be made between her and Enninful, emphasizing that her perspective is shaped by her background as a biracial woman and her experiences living between different cultures.
Known for her low-key and nuanced approach, Nnadi is described as the "nicest person at Vogue" by colleagues. Her style contrasts with Enninful's high-profile celebrity connections, and she has been characterized as calm and thoughtful.
Chioma Nnadi's appointment as the new head of editorial content at British Vogue marks a significant step forward in diversifying leadership within the fashion industry, particularly at prestigious publications like Vogue.
