Edward Enninful’s journey is nothing short of a miracle, from modeling to working as a stylist, he forged his own unique path in the fashion industry. So often we forget that the path to success is filled with lessons along the way, and those lessons empower us as we take on new challenges. In Enninful’s memoir, A Visible Man, readers get insight into his journey to becoming the prolific editor-in-chief and person he is today. 

#1 Do Not Lose Who You Are, In the Process of Becoming Who You Want to Be

         In an industry that is often exclusionary and elitist, Enninful drew inspiration from his reality to determine what he wanted to share with the world. He notes early on in his career at I-D magazine, that his intention was to “present his reality, only heightened.” In the 1990s, the golden era of fashion, many black women were pigeonholed and exotified which ultimately excluded them from mainstream fashion culture. Enninful recounts an experience in which Lorraine Pascale, one of the models he worked with, discusses how she often showed up to countless shoots where the only accessories were cowrie shells and bones. This exotification of Black women drove Pascale from the modeling industry entirely. While the Grunge movement championed the “heroin chic” look, Enninful reimagined what was possible for black women through his work with Naomi Campbell. There seemed to be no bounds to what Naomi could embody, and in their thirty years of working together, Campbell embodied popular icons like a flapper, Elvis, and David Bowie. His ability to highlight diverse talents and amplify the lives of everyday people became a hallmark of his career. Enninful’s decision shows us the power of standing by our own ideas. He did not shy away from using his platform in fashion to highlight political issues such as Black Lives Matter and COVID-19. Embracing our story and unique perspective is integral to our work. If we choose, we can decide that our work can reflect the values and impact that we want to have in the world. So often we hide aspects of ourselves hoping it will drive us to success but our fulfillment, and yes even success, can be found in our interests. Enninful’s commitment to his ideas impacted his craft and challenged the fashion industry’s perspective and priorities.

#2 Follow Your Curiosity

Many of us have encountered the adage, “reconnect with your inner child.” This process often means deconstructing your interests and how you want to spend your time. Additionally, it means believing that our interests are enough and often contain what we need to be successful. Enninful notes that his love for fashion stemmed from his early childhood. He often accompanied his mother to her workshop where he helped her with client fittings and observed how his mother worked with clients to create various looks. He also spent significant time sketching elaborate women’s dresses which he would share with other seamstresses. His love for fashion also drove him to read magazines. When he was not at his mother’s studio, he was at his aunt's hair salon where he would look through Ebony, Jet, and Time magazines.  His interest in magazines never left him, and as he and his family moved to London, he found himself glued to the pages of Blitz magazine or Harpers & Queen (now Harper’s Bazaar).  While reading one of those very magazines on the tube, he was spotted by Simon Foxton, who cast him in an advertisement for Pepe jeans. While this chance event catapulted him into the fashion industry, Enninful’s journey did not stop there. After working closely with Simon, his colleague, Beth, encouraged Enninful to style and even to write some of the shopping pages at the time. Again, I think Enninful’s initial willingness to pursue his interests allowed him to have various experiences in the fashion industry.  As we think about our careers, using our interests as a guide can lead to a fulfilling career.

#3 Rise to the Occasion (pushing past insecurity)

Insecurity is an inevitable part of any journey. As we grow in our careers, we must acknowledge that growth is an intricate balance between acknowledging our insecurities and leaning into them. I have often restricted myself to believe that success is the absence of mistakes, but Enninful’s own trajectory reminded me of the opposite. He describes a certain lull in his career in which he was integral in defining I-D magazine’s voice but not selected for top commercial jobs like many of his colleagues. He struggled with advocating for himself so he could take advantage of more opportunities but also knew that his work so far was a testament to his abilities. While this made him question his own talents and abilities, he continued working, often collaborating with the top creatives in his fields such as Paolo Roversi, Richard Burbridge, and Juergen Teller. Additionally, he took side opportunities to shoot for Vibe magazine. Reading Enninful’s journey reminded me how important it is to hold space for those challenging feelings without letting them define you. 

It is easy to marvel at Enninful’s personal and professional achievements, but the memoir challenges us to engage with our own lives and pursuits. Personally, the book’s title, A Visible Man, means committing to the fullness of who you are. I was left to reflect on how I am cultivating my own journey by honoring my interests and desires. I also found myself evaluating whether I moved through life giving myself permission to make mistakes or even to explore. I was struck by the subtle notion that when we begin to challenge our limiting beliefs or go after what we truly desire, we give ourselves permission to grow into our fullest selves. So how are you showing up? How are you acknowledging your own needs and desires?