Victoria Beckham was among 40 legendary British Vogue stars that came together to shoot the cover for Edward Enninful’s final edition.
Edward, 51, the first male and first black editor of the publication, announced in June that he would be stepping down to take on a new global role at publisher Conde Nast.
He ensured his final cover would one to remember, gathering the likes of Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid, Salma Hayek, Oprah and Miley Cyrus in one room to pose for the snap.
It is the largest number of women ever shot together for a Vogue cover, with acclaimed photographer Steven Meisel taking just 15 minutes to shoot the group, which also included Serena Williams, Christy Turlington and Dua Lipa.
Revealing how he came to choosing the icons, Edward penned: ‘When it came to my last issue, I knew the cover would be dedicated to women. Of course!’
40 legendary British Vogue cover stars came together to shoot Edward Enninful ‘s final edition: Karen Elson, Irina Shayk, Laverne Cox, Serena Williams, Rina Sawayama, Karlie Kloss, Jourdan Dunn, Amber Valletta, Precious Lee, Cindy Crawford, Jodie Comer, Gemma Chan, Adut Akech, Vittoria Ceretti, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Cara Delevingne, Adwoa Aboah, Paloma Elsesser, Victoria Beckham, Ariana Debose, Jameela Jamil, Jane Fonda, Oprah, Linda Evangelista, Miley Cyrus, Iman, Maya Jama, Anok Yai, Kate Moss, Kaia Gerber, Cynthia Erivo, Simone Ashley, Dua Lipa, Lila Moss,
Kate Moss posed up a storm alongside Victoria Beckham and Christy Turlington
Christy Turlington joined Maya Jama, Selma Blair and Precious Lee on set
He continued: ‘It was clear to all of us on the team that no one woman could or should encapsulate these past few years for the magazine. What we needed was a group, to lean into the power of the collective to bring to life what I hope has been a daring, disruptive and evolutionary period in Vogue’s history.’
After sending out requests to his 40 cover stars, Edward confessed he held his breath hoping they’d agree, before the celebrities flew in from London, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles and beyond to arrive in December for the New York-based shoot.
The ladies had been given three months notice to attend, with Edward writing personal notes to each woman asking them to participate.
The only person unable to make the shoot was Nicole Kidman who was working away on a movie.
He recalled: ‘They materialised as if from a dream.
‘When 8am rolled around the models, the movie icons, the musicians, the moguls, the sporting legends and media stars began to arrive. Mother and daughter Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford carpooled.
‘Ditto Salma Hayek Pinault and Linda Evangelista, given Salma stayed at Linda’s house the night before.
‘Dua Lipa and Miley Cyrus squeaked in by the skin of their popstar schedules. And everyone made sure things ran smoothly so Gigi Hadid could make it home on time to her toddler.’
Edward concluded: ‘So here it is: my 76th and final edition of Vogue, six and a half years and 153 cover stars later, including the 40 legendary women who feature on this cover. It’s been an extraordinary ride and an absolute honour.
‘As I step into my new role, as Condé Nast’s global creative and cultural advisor for Vogue, I’m determined to keep championing the incredible array of voices in fashion and media, and ensure we keep the energy explosion of the last few years going.
‘We always say it, because it always needs to be said: “there is a great deal yet to be done.”‘
Kate, Cindy Crawford, Jourdan Dunn, Karlie Kloss and Irina Shayk looked incredible
Miley Cyrus and Kate Moss put on a leggy display in mini dresses for the photoshoot
Naomi Campbell was a vision in a white gown with a drop waist
(L-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 the shoot
Jodie Turner Smith and Adwoa Aboah looked in high spirits as they beamed the for the camera
Jane Fonda was assisted by a cane as she strolled past with good friend Oprah
Edward is due to be replaced by Londoner Chioma Nnadi as editor of British Vogue.
The Mail on Sunday reported Edward had hoped one day to replace Anna Wintour, but the Vogue Editor-In-Chief is determined to stay put and will ‘swat any rivals off like a fly’.
Edward will take up a ‘global advisory position’ at Vogue, ‘with the freedom to take on broader creative projects’.
‘He made no secret of wanting the big job [global editorial director] but he hit the glass ceiling and he’d gone as far as he could go,’ explained the Vogue insider.
‘He thought he would be in London for a few years and then head for New York, but he now knows that he’s never going to get Anna’s job at Condé Nast.
‘Anna is the undisputed boss. She has seen off many rivals and continues to do so. She could swat him like a fly.’
A fashion source put it more bluntly: ‘I think Edward underestimated her power. He had so much smoke blown up his a**e when he was appointed editor that he couldn’t see his own trousers.’
This week also saw Vogue staff say an end of an era to their office, as they moved out of the legendary Vogue House in Mayfair, London, where the magazine has been published for 65 years.
Condé Nast announced last year it would be moving staff at its publications, which include 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 mogul Eyal Ofer, a Monaco-based businessman reportedly worth $23billion. It will be renamed 1 Hanover Square, marking the end of an era for the publisher.
Edward Enninful, 51, the first male and first black editor of British Vogue, announced in June that he would be stepping down to take on a new global role at Conde Nast (pictured with Naomi Campbell)
The deal only covers the leasehold for the property as The Church of England owns the freehold.
Ofer paid £75million for the property, £5million more than the price it was listed at, 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 from Tuesday 13 February
