Victoria Beckham was among 40 legendary British Vogue stars who gathered to shoot Edward Enninful’s cover. definitive edition.
Edward, 51, the publication’s first man and first black editor, announced in June that he was stepping down to take on a new global role at publisher Condé Nast.
She made sure her final cover was unforgettable, gathering the likes of Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid, Salma Hayek, Oprah and Miley Cyrus in a room to pose for the photo.
It’s the largest number of women ever photographed together for a Vogue cover, but it took acclaimed photographer Steven Meisel just 15 minutes to photograph the group, which also included Serena Williams, Christy Turlington and Dua Lipa.
Revealing how he came to choose the icons, Edward wrote: “When my last issue arrived, I knew the cover would be dedicated to women. Of course!’
40 legendary British Vogue cover stars gathered to photograph Edward Enninful’s final issue: 1. Anok Yai, 2. Kaia Gerber, 3. Naomi Campbell, 4. Dua Lipa, 5. Maya Jama, 6. Kate Moss, 7. Cynthia Erivo, 8. Simone Ashley, 9. Lila Moss, 10. Ariana Debose, 11. Jameela Jamil 12. Oprah, 13. Salma Hayek, 14. Christy Turlington, 15. Selma Blair, 16. Miley Cyrus, 17. Iman, 18. Linda Evangelista, 19. Jane Fonda, 20. Cara Delevingne, 21. Gugu Mbatha-Raw, 22. Gigi Hadid, 23. Adwoa Aboah, 24. Victoria Beckham, 25. Paloma Elsesser, 26. Gemma Chan, 27 Jodie Comer, 28 Precious Lee, 29. Amber Valletta, 30. Adut Akech, 31. Cindy Crawford, 32. Karen Elson, 33. Irina Shayk, 34. Laverne Cox, 35. Anya Taylor-Joy, 36. Serena Williams, 37. Rina Sawayama, 38. Karlie Kloss, 39. Vittoria Ceretti, 40. Jourdan Dunn
Kate Moss caused a sensation with Victoria Beckham and Christy Turlington
Christy Turlington joined Maya Jama, Selma Blair and Precious Lee on set
She continued: ‘It was clear to all of us on the team that no woman could or should summarize these last few years for the magazine. What we needed was a group, to lean on the power of the collective to bring to life what I hope was a daring, disruptive and evolutionary period in Vogue’s history.’
After sending requests to his 40 cover stars, Edward confessed he held his breath waiting for them to agree, before the celebrities flew from London, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles and beyond to arrive in December (at their own expense ) for the New York Session.
The ladies had been given three months’ notice to attend, and Edward wrote personal notes to each woman asking them to participate.
The only person who could not attend the filming was Nicole Kidman, who was working on a film.
He recalled: ‘They materialized as if they came out of a dream.
‘When 8am rolled around the models, movie icons, musicians, moguls, sports legends and media stars began to arrive. Mother and daughter Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford shared the trip.
‘The same goes for Salma Hayek Pinault and Linda Evangelista, since Salma stayed at Linda’s house the night before.
‘Dua Lipa and Miley Cyrus sneaked through their pop star agendas. And everyone made sure everything went smoothly so Gigi Hadid could get home on time to her little boy.”
Edward concluded: “So here it is: my 76th and final issue of Vogue, six and a half years and 153 cover stars later, including the 40 legendary women featured on this cover. It’s been an extraordinary journey and an absolute honour.
“As I take on my new role, as Condé Nast’s global creative and cultural advisor to Vogue, I am determined to continue championing the incredible variety of voices in fashion and media, and ensure we maintain the explosion of energy of recent years . .
“We always say it, because it always has to be said: ‘there is still a lot to do.'”
Kate, Cindy Crawford, Jourdan Dunn, Karlie Kloss and Irina Shayk looked incredible
Miley Cyrus and Kate Moss wore mini dresses for the photo shoot
Naomi Campbell was a vision in a dropped-waist white dress
(L to R) Gemma Chan, Simone Ashley, Rina Sawayama, Anya Taylor-Joy, Maya Jama, Precious Lee, Jameela Jamil
Linda Evangelista and Salma Hayek arrived at the shoot together after having a sleepover the night before in preparation for filming.
Jodie Comer and Adwoa Aboah looked in high spirits as they smiled for the camera.
Jane Fonda was assisted by a cane as she passed by her good friend Oprah.
After sending requests to his 40 cover stars, Edward confessed he held his breath waiting for them to agree, before the celebrities flew in from London, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles and beyond.
Speaking about her experience on set, Selma Blair said Washington Post: ‘They allowed us to take photographs, but I wanted to see it through my own eyes. I think we will all be allies of each other.
“We were spokes in a wheel. We are stronger together. “I feel safer having been in that group.”
Edward will be replaced by Londoner Chioma Nnadi as editor of British Vogue.
The Mail on Sunday reported that Edward hoped to one day replace Anna Wintour, but the Vogue editor-in-chief is determined to stay and will “swatt any rival like a fly.”
Edward will take on a “global advisory role” at Vogue, “with the freedom to take on broader creative projects.”
“He made it no secret that he wanted the big job (global editorial director), but he hit the glass ceiling and went as far as he could,” Vogue’s source explained.
‘She thought she would be in London for a few years and then head to New York, but now she knows she will never get Anna’s job at Condé Nast.
‘Anna is the undisputed boss. She has surpassed many rivals and continues to do so. She could swat him like a fly.
A fashion source put it more clearly: “I think Edward underestimated his power. He had so much smoke blown up his ass when he was made editor that he couldn’t see his own pants.
This week we also saw Vogue staff call the end of an era at their office, moving out of the legendary Vogue House in Mayfair, London, where the magazine has been published for 65 years.
Condé Nast announced last year that it would move staff from its publications, including Vogue, GQ, Tatler and House & Garden, to The Adelphi on the Thames Embankment.
Vogue House was put up for sale earlier this year and was bought by shipping magnate Eyal Ofer, a Monaco-based businessman reportedly worth $23 billion. It will be renamed 1 Hanover Square, marking the end of an era for the publisher.
Edward Enninful, 51, British Vogue’s first male and first black editor, announced in June that he was stepping down to take up a new global role at Condé Nast (pictured with Naomi Campbell).
The agreement only covers the lease of the property, as the Church of England owns the freehold.
Ofer paid £75 million for the property, £5 million more than the listed price, according to The Telegraph.
British Vogue was launched in 1916 and moved to Vogue House, just off Regent Street, in 1958.
The March issue of British Vogue is available via digital download and on newsstands starting Tuesday, February 13