Chioma Nnadi named head of editorial content at British Vogue and Anna Wintour praises her ‘impeccable reputation’ as she takes over from outgoing editor-in-chief Edward Enninful

Anna Wintour has chosen Chioma Nnadi as British Vogue’s new head of editorial content, replacing outgoing editor-in-chief Edward Enninful.

New York-based Londoner Ms Nnadi, currently editor of the US edition’s website, has been praised by Ms Wintour for her “impeccable” reputation and will become the first black woman to run the magazine.

The move follows months of conjecture over who would replace Enninful, 51, who made history when he was named Vogue’s first black editor-in-chief in 2017.

Nnadi credits her Nigerian father with igniting her passion for fashion – saying she only remembers him wearing suits.

Speaking from her home in New York, Ms Nnadi said: “Are there pressures? Yeah, there’s definitely pressure – it’s Vogue.

Ms Nnadi is to replace outgoing editor Edward Enninful (pictured right with Anna Wintour)

“Being in Vogue always means something, it always has authority. (Edward) innovated. It’s more than being part of a magazine: it’s part of the cultural conversation.

The big announcement, first reported by the Guardian, comes after a few days of fashion shows – with Vogue World staging a bizarre show in the West End on Thursday to celebrate the start of London Fashion Week.

The highly anticipated event, held at the Theater Royal Drury Lane, attracted many A-list stars with many getting involved in the entertainment on stage.

But viewers, who watched via live stream on YouTube, took to social media to admit they were left baffled by the “bizarre” show, billed as a “multi-act celebration of British performing arts “.

Ms. Nnadi’s new job will focus on digital storytelling and keeping Vogue interactive with readers.

It will also be part of a shift that saw the editors-in-chief of Vogue’s European editions replaced by global executives after the Condé Nast company restructured in 2020.

Ms Wintour described Ms Nnadi as a “beloved” colleague who will focus on “music and culture” as well as fashion, adding that the new editor-in-chief “takes Vogue into the future”.

Ms Nnadi said: “Working under Anna, you get an idea of ​​what’s going to happen next. I haven’t checked my email but she’s probably already moved on.

Ms. Nnadi’s new job will focus on digital storytelling and keeping Vogue interactive with readers.

Ms Nnadi grew up in central London, born to her mother, a Swiss-German nurse, and her Nigerian father who came to study in the UK in the 1960s.

The new editor worked for independent magazines such as Fader and Trace before spending time at London’s Evening Standard.

Chioma has been described as discreet, nuanced and even “shy” by her colleagues – in many ways the opposite of Enninful, who has an army of famous friends like Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey and the Duchess of Sussex on speed. dial.

Enninful was born in poor Ghana before his eventual introduction to the British working class and his gradual rise to the top rung of Vogue’s editorial ladder and a salary estimated at £1 million a year.

Ms. Ndadi, whose father is Nigerian and mother Swiss-German, is known as the “nicest person in Vogue.”

Before the announcement, Ms Ndadi told The Times: “Chioma is an excellent choice. She is serious and intelligent and really knows her job. She can’t stand fools.

“Chioma is no longer the terrifying fashion editor of yesteryear,” another Condé Nast source said.

“She is quite shy one-on-one and very calm. She is one of those people who pauses before answering a question.