Nnadi — described as a “Vogue veteran” by Condé Nast, the publishing house that owns Vogue — will be the first Black woman to edit the historic fashion title.

She will hold the title head of editorial content, rather than inherit Enninful’s current title of editor-in-chief (in keeping with many other international editions of Vogue, where top editors of the magazine in France, Italy, India and Japan, have the same designation).

Nnadi, who is of Nigerian and Swiss-German descent, was born and raised in London and began her career in journalism at the British publication the Evening Standard Magazine before moving to New York.

She joined American Vogue in 2010. She is currently the editor of the US magazine’s website and a star writer at the title, having written recent cover stories on musicians Rihanna and Erykah Badu and model Cara Delevingne.

In a statement, Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer and Global Editorial Director of Vogue said: “Chioma is beloved among her colleagues at Vogue and is an editor and writer with an impeccable reputation — both here and in the fashion industry at large. I’m so grateful to Edward Enninful for everything he’s accomplished at British Vogue, and we’re all looking forward to a productive and creative relationship with him in his new role. I can’t think of a more worthy person to follow in his footsteps than Chioma.”

Wintour went on to describe Nnadi as being “passionate about fashion, music and culture” and exclaimed she “couldn’t be happier” about her appointment to the role.

During his six-year-long tenure at British Vogue, Enninful — who announced his shock departure in June — won praise for creating a more diverse magazine, featuring people of all skin colours, body shapes and backgrounds.

He plans to remain at Condé Nast in an advisory role which he has previously said gives him “the freedom to take on broader creative projects.”

Of Nnadi’s appointment, Enninful said in a statement that he was “thrilled,” calling her “a brilliant and unique talent with real vision, who will take the publication to ever greater heights.”

Speaking about her new role, Nnadi said she was “beyond excited and honoured” to have been appointed, adding: “As someone who was born and raised in London, the energy of the city — its boundary-pushing style and creative scene — has shaped the way I look at the world.”

In an interview with The Guardian, Nnadi said: “Is there pressure? Yeah, there’s definitely pressure – it’s Vogue,” and added, “It still means something to be in Vogue, it still has authority. (And there’s pressure) because of Edward. He broke new ground. It’s more than being part of a magazine — it’s part of the cultural conversation.”

The 51-year-old will remain as an editorial advisor to the UK title but will move into a newly-created job next year aimed at growing the brand globally.

His new portfolio as Vogue’s global creative and cultural advisor will also allow him to take on external projects.

Enninful will be involved with the recruitment search for his successor.

The Ghanaian-British creative is the first black man to hold the top job at the British fashion magazine.

British Vogue recently featured its first disabled models, including actress Selma Blair who lives with multiple sclerosis and Ellie Goldstein, a 21-year-old model with Down’s syndrome.

Other memorable editions from Enninful include having actor Timothée Chalamet as the first man to grace the cover in October 2022.

In an interview last year about his favourite Vogue covers, Enninful said the inspiration behind his first one in December 2017 featuring mixed race model Adwoa Aboah was aimed at resetting “the image of modern Britain”.

“It was important to create a cover that represented the Britain of today, a multicultural society where everyone was welcome – where my family was welcome,” he said.

His wide network and celebrity friendships have also led to editions such as September 2019’s “Forces for Change” edited by the Duchess of Sussex.

Last month, Enninful attended the King and Queen’s Coronation. He has helped the King’s charity, the Prince’s Trust, with its work in Africa and worldwide as a global ambassador.

Enninful has been a high-profile champion for greater inclusivity in the fashion industry.

He took over as editor-in-chief of British Vogue in August 2017 from Alexandra Shulman, who had been in the job for 25 years. One of his first priorities was to diversify his staff at the 107-year-old publication.

Enninful has been open about his struggles with racism and being a black gay man. In interviews with the BBC, he has also shared concerns about losing his eyesight, his struggles with alcoholism and being estranged from his father for 15 years.

British Vogue’s contributing European sustainability editor Dana Thomas told the BBC she was “thrilled” by the news.

“This gives him more freedom to do what he does best, and what clearly brings him joy, which is the creation of beauty.

“His influence has been immense. I write for British Vogue because I found him so inspiring. His leadership in the areas of inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability – what he calls the three pillars of British Vogue – have been unmatched in any publication”.

In a memo sent to Vogue staff, Enninful said he would “continue to contribute to the creative and cultural success of the Vogue brand globally” in his newly-created job, “whilst having the freedom to take on broader creative projects”.

A head of editorial content for British Vogue will also be hired, he said, adding: “For now everything remains the same, and I’m so excited about what the future holds for us.”

Enninful thanked editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and Roger Lynch, the chief executive officer of publishers Condé Nast, “for their continued support”.

According to a new report by Mail, the Ghanaian magazine chief will tie the knot with his filmmaker fiance on his 50th birthday later this month.

Three hundred guests, including Leonardo DiCaprio, David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, and fashion designer Donatella Versace, are expected to grace the event in Wiltshire that boasts a 9,000-acre safari park famed for its lions.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell, who has been Enninful’s friend for 30 years before their fallout, is expected at the wedding later this month after they settled their differences.

Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne, Orlando Bloom, and US models Gigi and Bella Hadid among his close circle, are also expected to join the guest list.

Supermodels Eva Herzigova and Irina Shayk among many others are also expected to be invited to the wedding.

It will also be a double celebration for Mr. Enninful and Mr. Maxwell, as the event will mark the Vogue editor’s milestone birthday.

“This is going to be the wedding of the year – there will be no expense spared and no detail ignored,” a source said.  

“Edward is one of the best-connected people in Britain, and across America too, so expect super-famous guests. People are already saying you won’t see so many A-listers in one room ever again.

“Edward appears to have saved some money on the venue as he is thought to have been given it by Emma Weymouth as a wedding present.

“Edward and Alec have been wanting to marry for some time and Edward’s 50th birthday seemed such a special day to do it.”

In an interview in 2019, Mr. Enninful confirmed that he had proposed to Mr. Maxwell, whom he met at a party 15 years earlier.

“Over dinner I just asked if we should get engaged. We’ll marry eventually – there’s no rush,” he said then.