Editor Of Vogue (Edward Enninful OBE): How To Become No.1 In Your Industry Against All The Odds!

Edward’s fearful relationship with his authoritarian father taught him to hide his creativity and brilliance, instilling a lifelong sense of never being ‘good enough’. That same fear and need for validation drove him to work obsessively, over-prepare, and constantly improve. His story illustrates that what powers your success (fear, shame, proving yourself) can also damage your mental health if left unexamined.

By his late twenties and early thirties, Edward had covers across Vogue and Vanity Fair, was flying constantly, and was at the pinnacle of his industry, yet he describes feeling intensely lonely, empty, and disconnected. He used alcohol, drugs, parties, and overwork to numb those feelings. His experience underlines that external markers of success do not protect you from internal collapse; without reflection, boundaries, and emotional connection, achievement can feel hollow.

After losing his passport on the way to a major show and realizing alcohol was controlling his life, Edward entered AA and stayed sober for about 14 years. Service, sponsorship, and meeting people outside fashion grounded him and gave him a spiritual framework. Later, cognitive therapy helped him manage PTSD from severe eye problems and tinnitus. The combination of professional help and community enabled him to keep his career while transforming how he lived it.

When Edward took over British Vogue, the industry dogma was that ‘Black women on covers don’t sell’ and that diversity was ‘down-market’. He deliberately put women of color, older women, queer women, and people from varied backgrounds on the cover, e.g. Oprah in high jewelry, and the issues sold out, growing Vogue’s commercial success. His approach shows that representing real audiences can expand markets rather than shrink them.

As one of very few Black creatives in elite fashion spaces, Edward consciously built a tight circle with Naomi Campbell, Pat McGrath, and others. They helped each other navigate racism, tokenism, and the pressures of being ‘the only one’ in many rooms. His career suggests that when you’re pioneering in any field, you need peers who understand your specific struggles, not just mentors or bosses.