Chioma Nnadi has admitted she has “big shoes to fill” as the new head of British Vogue.
Chioma Nnadi has admitted she has ‘big shoes to fill’ as the new head of British Vogue
The 44-year-old Londoner is stepping in for Edward Enninful, 52, who spent more than six years at the forefront of the magazine with a focus on championing diversity with its cover and contents.
Chioma – who is the first mixed-race woman to take on the role – told BBC News about how she feels there is still more to be done when it comes to diversity: “Obviously what Edward did was incredible, I’m only taking the conversation further.”
She added about how she would never have dreamed of becoming head of British Vogue: “Thinking about younger baby Chioma, thinking about what she would’ve thought, and it’s not something in my wildest dreams that I would’ve imagined for myself.
“And I know how meaningful it is for younger people to see people like me, who look like me, in a position like this.”
She also said Vogue has become “much more diverse” since she started at the magazine more than 10 years ago.
Chioma’s debut issue features singer FKA Twigs on the cover, and she said about the choice: “She’s someone whose music and style I’ve always loved. For me, she represents the modern British eccentric.”
The editor started her career in newspapers in the UK, before moving to New York and joining Vogue in the city, where she spent 14 years climbing the ranks before landing a job as editor of Vogue.com.
She has interviewed A-listers including Rihanna and Angelina Jolie, and describes herself “first and foremost as a storyteller”.
Chioma recently relocated back to the UK to take up her new job and said she “absolutely” feels the pressure of the role – but insisted: “It’s an exciting time.”
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