Edward Enninful’s meteoric rise through the ranks of the fashion industry is the stuff of legend. Born in Ghana and raised in London, Enninful was modeling for i-D at 16, assisting on shoots with stylists Simon Foxton and Beth Summers by 17, and taking over from Summers as fashion editor of i-D at 18. Despite being the youngest editor of a major fashion publication in history, thanks to his bold vision and unique fashion eye, Eninnful went on to create some of i-D’s most iconic, well-recognized covers, whilst befriending some of fashion’s biggest names along the way — Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Pat McGrath, David Sims, and Mario Sorrenti to name but a few.
Now, having already received awards for his meaningful contributions to fashion, Edward can also add an honor from the Queen to his list of accolades, after being appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to diversity in the fashion industry. Speaking to the Huffington Post in January on fashion’s ongoing diversity problem, Enninful stressed the need for more meaningful changes, but showed optimism for the future. “I don’t think filling a shoot or a runway with a black model is the answer. There is so much more that can be done. Education, mentorships and so many other things we can do to even the playing fields. We’re headed in the right direction. I’m really positive about it — I have to be.”
Taking to Instagram to share the news, Enninful thanked “HRH and everybody who has been a part of my journey,” with a with a shot of Joan Smalls, Jourdan Dunn, Liu Wen and Karlie Kloss from a very regal 2010 Vogue shoot lensed by friend Steve Meisel. As we celebrate the news, throw back to where it all began and flick through Edward Enniful OBE’s greatest i-D covers of the 90s.
