Styling an Era: The Story of Edward Enninful

STREET STYLE

Edward Enninful was born in Ghana but moved to Ladbroke Grove with his parents & five siblings when he was young. His mother worked as a seamstress, and inspired him with the vividly patterned colours and fabrics she used while creating clothing for her British-Ghanaian friends.

As a teenager he wanted to be a lawyer and his parents encouraged him to do well at school before going to University. However, a chance encounter with the stylist Simon Foxton on a train led to Edward working as a model at the age of 16 – an experience that Edward would later describe as "a baptism of fire"

i-D Magazine

Whilst working as a model he was introduced to Terry & Tricia Jones of i-D magazine who encouraged him to work at the magazine and assist the Fashion Director Beth Summers.

Edward would juggle a degree at Goldsmith College, working at i-D magazine and modelling. When Summers left i-D magazine Terry Jones would offer Edward her position at the age of 18. He would be the youngest Fashion Director of an international magazine ever.

Soon, Edward Enninful became known for his edgy elegance, which quickly became his trademark. Much of his inspiration came from the streets. "We British have to customize our clothes, we have to be more creative, informing who you are—and I am still obsessed with the streets."

THE NEW GUARD

Edward Enninful was part of the new guard of 90’s innovators and fashion creatives that came to define the decade.

At the age of 22 he styled the famous Calvin Klein adverts that have become so iconic and was friends with Corinne Day, Juergen Teller, Kate Moss & Mark Lebon. Today, this group of friends have become some of the most important and respected figures in global fashion.

Edward was at the heart of taking the grunge movement and turning it from a Seattle based scene into a global movement. The looks he featured in his stories fuelled the fascination with grunge during the 1990s and helped define the aesthetic of the decade.

ITALIAN VOGUE

The next stage of Edward Enninful’s career would lead to him working for Italian Vogue. In 1998, he became a contributing editor to Italian Vogue.

According to Edward, working with Italian Vogue's editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani and photographer Steven Meisel helped him to mature as a stylist: "I always say that I was a London stylist but when I worked with Steven, I became a proper stylist."

AMERICAN VOGUE

In 2006 Edward Enninful became contributing editor for US Vogue after being recommended and supported by the famous stylist Grace Coddington.

Edward Enninful cites Anna Wintour as one of his inspirations and the most talented editor that he has ever worked with.

Rhianna on the cover of W Magazine's September 2016 edition. Styled by Edward Enninful and photographed by Steven Klein.

W MAGAZINE

In 2011, Edward Enninful would become fashion and style editor for W magazine. At the time the magazine was in mid-turn around and was struggling to make an impact in fashion.

Edward Enninful brought huge credibility, innovation and a much riskier approach to the magazine. One of his most famous covers at W Magazine had Kate Moss dressed in a nun's habit. This cover caused controversy and soaring sales in equal measure.