Naomi: New Vogue chief ’s critics are racist
NAOMI Campbell has hit out at critics of the new Vogue editor, claiming they are racist and have a vendetta against her friend.
Edward Enninful was appointed editor-in-chief of the magazine earlier this year following Alexandra Shulman’s resignation after 25 years in charge.
Mr Enninful, 45, is the publication’s first black and first male editor in its 101-year history – and one of his opening moves was to make Ms Campbell a contributing editor.
But his lack of journalistic experience and love of partying with A-list stars means the Ghanaian-born stylist’s appointment has been questioned by some.
Ms Campbell said: ‘I’m not pleased at how he [Enninful] has been treated. I’ve been in this business for 31 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. I find it racist.’
In an article by Ms Shulman last month, she appeared to have a dig at Enninful and his glamorous Instagram page. Writing for the Business of Fashion website, she said: ‘The new guard of editors… will be less magazine journalists and more celebrities or fashion personalities with substantial social media followings.
‘It’s certainly not a job for someone who… thinks that the main part of their job is being photographed in a series of designer clothes with a roster of friends.’
Apparently alluding to Ms Shulman’s piece, Ms Campbell, 47, claimed Mr Enninful had ‘got the job fair and square’.
She told The Guardian: ‘He has worked in this business for many years. It’s like a vendetta.’
Mr Enninful is said to have told friends his priority was to ‘get rid of the posh girls’ when he started the job in August. Since then, a number of leading staff have been ousted or have chosen to go.
Mr Enninful has offered a preview of his celebrity-filled debut issue, which comes out on Friday. Designer Victoria Beckham in her pyjamas, actress Glenda Jackson, and child star Millie Bobby Brown are among those featured in a 45-second ‘trailer’ on his Instagram account.