British Vogue debuts February issue featuring nine black models

British Vogue has revealed its February 2022 cover, featuring nine black women who are ‘redefining what it means to be a model’.

Starring models Adut Akech, Amar Akway, Majesty Amare, Akon Changkou, Maty Fall, Janet Jumbo, Abény Nhial, Nyagua Ruea and Anok Yai in a striking fashion story shot by Rafael Pavarotti and styled by British Vogue’s Editor-In-Chief Edward Enninful OBE, it’s the first time Vogue has featured a group of black women this size on the cover.

The issue celebrates the rise of the African model and talks to some of those ‘redrawing the map’ and shoots the women with a dark lighting scheme.

Explaining the inspiration behind shooting an all black, all African cover, Edward, who was born in Ghana and moved to west London as a child, said: ‘I saw all these incredible models from across Africa who were just so vivacious and smart.

These girls are redefining what it is to be a fashion model.

We need to ensure these girls last. We have to invest in them, nurture them and support them with editorial, with advertising, with shows.’

‘It’s sad and heart-breaking for me to see girls who are on the rise suddenly taper off.

‘We need to ensure these girls last. We have to invest in them, nurture them and support them with editorial, with advertising, with shows. It has to be 360. Alek Wek didn’t suddenly become Alek Wek.

There was a group of us behind girls like her, propelling them forward. This is what we have to do in all our different roles. Getting these girls and then throwing them away after one season? That has to stop.’