Edward Enninful’s epic final British Vogue cover has faced criticism for including ‘nepo babies’ in the selection of ’40 legendary women’.
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.
And to ensure his final cover would be one to remember, he gathered the likes of Victoria Beckham, Gigi Hadid, Salma Hayek, Oprah and Miley Cyrus in one room to pose for the farewell shot.
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!’
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.
Edward Enninful ‘s epic final British Vogue cover has faced criticism for including ‘ nepo babies ‘ in the selection of ’40 legendary women’
To ensure his final cover would be one to remember, he gathered the likes of Victoria Beckham , Gigi Hadid , Salma Hayek , Oprah and Miley Cyrus in one room to pose for the farewell shot
‘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.’
However, many on social media reacted in surprise when they saw some unfamiliar faces on the cover, under the label ‘legends’.
Several questioned how stars like Naomi Campbell and Serena Williams could be grouped into the same category as the likes of Lila Moss and Kaia Gerber.
Both Lila, 21, and Kaia, 22, are the daughters of famous supermodels, with their mothers Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford also appearing on the cover.
The two women dazzled as they posed at the front of the group, with Lila putting on a leggy display in a strapless black minidress.
While Kaia cut a daring figure in a floaty cream negligee with semi-sheer cut outs, as she kneeled on the floor.
While both the stunners are working as models, many fans argued that neither had reached the status of ‘legend’ like their parents, and said they had not earned their spot on the iconic cover.
One person wrote: ‘What are the daughters of Kate and Cindy doing there??? Are they already Icons??? Certainly not!!!’
However, many on social media reacted in surprise when they saw some unfamiliar faces on the cover, under the label ‘legends’ (Kaia Gerber pictured on Vogue shoot)
Several questioned how stars like Naomi Campbell and Serena Williams could be grouped into the same category as the likes of Lila Moss (pictured last month) and Kaia Gerber
Both Lila, 21, and Kaia, 22, are the daughters of famous supermodels, with their mothers Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford also appearing on the cover (Kate and Cindy pictured on shoot)
While a second echoed: ‘Greatest talents in fashion and one of them is just a super model’s daughter who doesn’t actually do much other then be kate’s daughter’.
A third fumed: ‘Lila moss and kaia gerber on the legendary cover instead of Bella Hadid should be a crime!’
While another quipped: ‘what’s the nepo baby percentage here’ and a fifth agreed, writing: ‘Kate moss’s daughter really? the nepotism is through the roof’.
Someone else commented: ‘Kaia Gerber and Lila Moss but not Bella Hadid. Just pure comedy.’ while a seventh said: ‘Kate Moss was that good she can even carry her bland and average offspring on the cover of Vogue’.
An eighth joked: ‘lila moss …. ? i guess theres room for everybody in there lmfaoooo’ while a ninth asked: ‘why is kaia gerber there? genuinely curious lmao’.
A tenth penned: ‘Kate moss’ daughter on a Vogue cover for legendary woman next to serena williams is the most funniest s**t ever’ with another writing: ‘Kaia Gerber legendary? Really?’
And another said: ‘Most of those girls shouldnt even be on the “legendary” vogue cover who are some of them, some of then are nobodies, and some are just.. lila moss’ with one adding: ‘Legendary nepo babies, really?!!’
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 (at their own expense) for the New York-based shoot.
While both the stunners are working as models, many fans argued that the two women had not yet reached the status of ‘legend’ like their parents, and that they had not earned their spot on the iconic cover
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.
Edward 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.”‘
The ladies had been given three months notice to attend, with Edward writing personal notes to each woman asking them to participate
40 legendary British Vogue cover stars came together to shoot Edward Enninful’s final edition: 1. Anok Yai, 2. Kaia Gerber, 3. Naomi Campbell, 4. Dua Lipa, 5. Maya Jama, 6. Kate Moss, 7. Cynthia Erivo, 8. Simone Ashley, 9. Lila Moss, 10. Ariana Debose, 11. Jameela Jamil 12. Oprah, 13. Salma Hayek, 14. Christy Turlington, 15. Selma Blair, 16. Miley Cyrus, 17. Iman, 18. Linda Evangelista, 19. Jane Fonda, 20. Cara Delevingne, 21. Gugu Mbatha-Raw, 22. Gigi Hadid, 23. Adwoa Aboah, 24. Victoria Beckham, 25. Paloma Elsesser, 26. Gemma Chan, 27. Jodie Comer, 28. Precious Lee, 29. Amber Valletta, 30. Adut Akech, 31. Cindy Crawford, 32. Karen Elson, 33. Irina Shayk, 34. Laverne Cox, 35. Anya Taylor-Joy, 36. Serena Williams, 37. Rina Sawayama, 38. Karlie Kloss, 39. Vittoria Ceretti, 40. Jourdan Dunn
