After stepping away from the public eye for nearly a year and a half, Edward Enninful is making a major comeback in the fashion world.
The former British Vogue editor-in-chief, who broke barriers as the magazine’s first male and first Black leader, is launching a new print magazine and media platform called 72.
This fresh project aims to shake up the industry and naturally invites comparisons to his former mentor and rumored rival, Anna Wintour.
From Protégé to Competitor: The Complex Relationship with Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour has been the queen of American Vogue since 1988, having started her career at British Vogue years before.
She’s also the global chief content officer at Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue.
Enninful was once seen as her likely successor, the young talent who would carry the torch.
However, as he left his mark on British Vogue, whispers of a power struggle between the two began to circulate, culminating in Enninful’s departure in early 2024.
Introducing 72 Magazine and Platform Launching This September
Enninful’s new project, 72, is set to debut in September and will come out quarterly in print form.
It’s tied to his new entertainment company, founded with his sister Akua earlier this year.
He took to Instagram to share the news just days after the iconic Met Gala — a night Wintour has dominated for decades.
In his posts, Enninful described 72 as a “cornerstone” for his company and promised it would bring “boundary-breaking storytelling” that reflects the cultural shifts shaping today’s world.
Building a Star-Studded Team with Familiar Faces
To help bring 72 to life, Enninful has recruited some heavy hitters from his Vogue days.
Sarah Harris, a Vogue veteran of 20 years, has joined the team, along with former Vogue contributors Lee Swillingham and Stuart Spalding as creative directors.
This high-profile team hints at serious ambitions and is sure to ruffle feathers at Condé Nast, especially with Wintour still firmly in charge.
Cultural Change and a Subtle Jab at Old Guard Vogue
Enninful’s emphasis on “cultural shifts” in his announcement may also be a quiet critique of Vogue under Wintour, who has been criticized for moving too slowly on diversity.
Back in 2020, Wintour publicly admitted Vogue hadn’t done enough to support Black creators and apologized for past mistakes.
Under Enninful’s leadership, British Vogue made bold moves — featuring Black activists, transgender models, disabled stars, and even the first man on the cover — pushing boundaries that many felt Wintour had been slow to embrace.
Celebrity Support and Industry Reactions
The fashion community has warmly welcomed Enninful’s new venture, with his 1.6 million Instagram followers and celebrity friends, like supermodel Naomi Campbell, celebrating the announcement.
But insiders suggest that while Wintour isn’t threatened by 72 just yet, she’ll be watching closely.
After all, there’s only so much space and so many big names in the industry, and both women will likely compete for top talent and advertisers.
The Backstory of a Turbulent Departure from British Vogue
Enninful’s six-year run at British Vogue was relatively short compared to predecessors.
Rumors swirled in 2023 about a backstage power struggle as he openly expressed ambitions to eventually take on Wintour’s global editorial director role.
However, it became clear he hit a ceiling, and his move away from Vogue was seen by many as the result of clashing visions and internal politics.
A Relationship Marked by Tension and Mutual Respect
Although reports describe their relationship as frosty and distant, neither Enninful nor Wintour has publicly acknowledged any bitterness.
Wintour has praised Enninful as a colleague, and he has consistently declined to engage with gossip.
Behind the scenes, however, sources say their differences ran deep, with clashes over the future direction of Vogue and more progressive changes like gender-neutral content stirring tensions.
What Lies Ahead for Edward Enninful and Anna Wintour?
With 72 set to launch later this year, the fashion world is watching closely.
Will Enninful’s bold new platform disrupt the established order? Can it challenge Wintour’s decades-long reign as the undisputed fashion editor?
One thing’s for sure: their story is far from over, and the rivalry between these two powerhouses is only getting more interesting.