Diversity and Inclusivity in British Vogue

Since their inception and rise, fashion publications have served as a medium to provide escapism and inform the audiences about fashion trends. They have also dictated beauty standards across the decades.

British Vogue was first published in 1916 and is still considered one of the most influential and successful fashion magazines in the world.

Edward Enninful’s appointment as editor in chief of British Vogue in 2017 marked the beginning of a new era for the traditional fashion publication. Enninful is a passionate advocate for diversity in the fashion industry, having been honoured with an OBE for Services to Diversity in the Fashion Industry in 2016. Under his leadership the magazine has featured cover stars such as activist Malala Yousafzai, actress Judi Dench and footballer Marcus Rashford.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the contents of the September 2021 through to February 2022 issues of the magazine and review if there is genuine representation and inclusivity in the publication under this change in leadership.

One sample from each edition has been selected and has been reviewed using critical visual methodology for images and critical discourse analysis for written elements to determine to what extent diversity and inclusion are promoted through

the magazine.