Early years under Chapcommunal, Todd, and Settle (1916–1934) During the
World War I,
Condé Nast (publisher of
Vogue) dealt with restrictions on overseas shipping and paper shortages in the United States. To answer the problem the decision was made to launch a British edition providing
Vogue coverage across the British Isles, with the American edition unable to be shipped to Britain. Under the editor
Elspeth Champcommunal, articles included 'society and sporting news ... Health and beauty advice ... travelogues ... and editorials', making a 'skilfully mixed cocktail'.
Dorothy Todd became editor in 1923 and was renowned for her boldness, especially blending the arts and fashion. Under her leadership the magazine shifted its focus from fashion to literature, featuring articles from
Clive Bell,
Virginia Woolf,
Aldous Huxley, and more. However, the magazine also lost much of its audience due to these changes and she was replaced by
Alison Settle in 1926.
Pre and post-war under Penrose and Withers (1935–1960) Audrey Withers became editor of the magazine in 1940 (replacing
Elizabeth Penrose Howkins who edited the publication from 1935 to 1939). During the
World War II the magazine reported on events of the war. In 1944,
Lee Miller was sent to Normandy by Withers to produce an article on wartime nursing; then following the Allied advance through Europe reporting on the
liberation of Paris and
Buchenwald concentration camp.
Under Anna Wintour and Liz Tilberis (1985–1992) Anna Wintour served as editor-in-chief from 1985 to 1987 before taking over
House & Garden, editing the magazine for only ten months before becoming editor-in-chief of American
Vogue, a position she is still in.
Liz Tilberis then took over the magazine running the publication until 1992 when she joined
Vogue's rival ''
Harper's Bazaar'' in New York City as editor-in-chief.
Under Alexandra Shuman (1992–2017) Under
Alexandra Shulman the magazine drew over a million readers. Shulman developed collectors issues of the magazine such as the 'Gold Millennium Issue'. Shulman was also praised for her use of up and coming
photographers like
Mario Testino. Shulman pushed designers to stop using 'size-zero' models and attempted to 'change the face of fashion'. In 2016, Shulman collaborated with photographer Josh Olins to shoot
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on the cover of
Vogue's centenary issue. The photographs were subsequently featured in the
National Portrait Gallery, London The magazine under Shulman was the subject of
Richard Macer's behind-the-scenes BBC documentary,
Absolutely Fashion: Inside British Vogue (2016).
Current era under Enninful and Nnandi (2017–present) Edward Enninful was confirmed as the new editor-in-chief of British
Vogue on 10 April 2017.
Condé Nast International chairman and CEO Jonathan Newhouse announced him as the successor to
Alexandra Shulman, calling Enninful "an influential figure in the communities of fashion, Hollywood and music which shape the cultural zeitgeist", adding that "by virtue of his talent and experience, Edward is supremely prepared to assume the responsibility of British
Vogue". Enninful's first issue as editor-in-chief was 2017's December issue, featuring British model and activist
Adwoa Aboah on the cover. The magazine's September 2020 triple gatefold cover featured pictures of 20 activists often associated with the
Black Lives Matter movement, including
Marcus Rashford and Adwoa Aboah. The Activism Now edition was photographed by
Misan Harriman and was the first British
Vogue cover taken by a black man in the magazine's 104-year history (Nadine Ijewere was the first black female to take a cover photograph). Actress Dame
Judi Dench became the oldest person at age 85 to be featured on the June 2020 cover. In 2022, actor
Timothée Chalamet became the first, solo male print cover star in the magazine's history. In June 2023, Enninful announced his departure from the magazine and his last cover was the March 2024 issue.
Chioma Nnadi succeeded Enninful as editor, and was the first black woman to be head of editorial content at the publication. == See also ==