Member Reviews
Very fun and at times insightful read, full of big names and behind the scenes honesty from the former editor of British Vogue.
An interesting insight into such an inspirational figure in the fashion industry. This is a must read for anyone interested in fashion and wanting to overcome challenges life throws at them
Edward Enninfull comes across as a shy and beautiful man and a trailblazer in the fashion world.
What struck me most about this sweet man was his work ethic, which is both the source of his sanity, and his downfall. Edward needs to slow down, because black men so often die young. The racism that runs through this book is predictable and tragic. His depiction of racism in the fashion world and the gay community made me feel so sad for Edward. It's so very much to have to rise above.
Always enjoy an autobiography, especially someone I don’t know much about! Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc
A Visible Man is a fascinating and insightful autobiography. I enjoyed the conversational and engaging style of writing, learning more about Edward Enninful’s life from his early years in Ghana to his life in the UK, and the journey and progression of his career. A enjoyable and absorbing read.
When I tell you this was a joy to read! I also cried 8 times (of happiness for once!) while reading in large part on the plane, trying to surreptitiously wipe my eyes.
Enninful immigrated to Britain from Ghana as a young boy under a strict father and was recruited as a teenager to model. What opened up for him from there was full speed ahead and was a thrill to be a part of.
Editor of i-D, working with famed photographers, style icons, supermodels, the most famous editors in chief. I will not name drop the many famous names because it felt like a wonderful surprise to get an inside glimpse.
But what swept me up the most was Enninful's championing of Black women in an industry that routinely tries to block or hide behind an 'economic justification' saying that Black women won't sell, they can't exude this look or so on, which time and time again Enninful rammed head on and showed how wrong this racist thinking is. It was such a joy to get a front seat to see how much of a world changer he has been.
I vaguely know of Edward as the editor of British Vouge however what an amazing & varied back story. I really enjoyed reading his story & hope he continues to push for diversity to be the norm.
Edward is such an inspiring person and this memoir was a fascinating glimpse into his life and the hardship he has overcome to get to where he is now. Loved reading this.
Ran out of time to read this before it was archived but loved what I had started!! Will be looking out for a physical copy for sure.
A fascinating look at the white-dominated, grunge-inspired 90s fashion scene through the singular eyes of this visible man. The first flush of his artistic creativity is preceded by another important part of the author's life - growing up in Ghana, in an environment so politically volatile that Enninful and his siblings saw executions by firing squad on the hill near their house once a week! A sensitive boy, this - and the fashion ventures of his mother and the women in his family - shaped who he would become.
On their arrival in England, the young editor was inspired by the burgeoning gay scene as well as the fabulousness of Notting Hill Carnival, the 'buffalo' fashion look and the emergence of Cool Britannia, Naomi Campbell, Alexander McQueen and Anna Wintour. Taking in spirituality, sobriety (followed by moderation), love, marriage and the first-and-second-generation experience of migrants in the UK, this is a timely reminder to stand up to hostile rhetoric and just be fabulous.
I’m not someone with an interest in fashion but that was in no way a hindrance to thoroughly enjoying this book! Edward Enninful has had a very long and varied career so far and whilst he’s been lucky with his opportunities he would certainly not be where he is today without his endless talent. His passion for fashion and for making a difference and driving change is inspiring. Reading his memoir was very eye opening and truly enjoyable. I love the name dropping but mostly, he is a very engaging writer and he’s had so many experiences over the years that are fascinating to learn about. Hearing about different projects he worked on in his own words made me so much more interested in seeing them. The back stories of key projects adds an extra element to them and suddenly, I’m finding intrigue in fashion that I didn’t have before and I look forward to seeing where his career goes next.
I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.
This is brilliant narrative non-fiction. Really accessible, no gossipy celeb feel, just a really fascinating story of one man's immigrant journey and rise to success in the fashion industry. I didn't know much about him or Vogue in particular but was hooked as if I were reading a work of fiction (but with the added bonus of getting to look him up and stalk his socials after!).
So insightful and an inspiration. I’ve followed Edward Enninful’s career for a long time and I couldn’t wait to read this.
I loved this. It was so interesting getting an insight into the fashion world, but particularly from the point of view of a Black, gay man. It was very straightforward and to the point, but engaging throughout. Really well written, thank you.
I'm not black and nor interested in Vogue- yet I found this warm, honest biography really Interesting.
From a childhood playing with his Mum's dressmaking scraps to receiving an MBE Edward Enningfultakes one on a roller coaster through landmark events.
Also fascinating is his explanation of why different Africans have such differing attitudes to colonial whites, depending upon whether they were equals as Ghanaians were or subsumed by conquerors.
If you are remotely interested I fashion or equality it is well worth reading.
I was really pleased to receive a copy of this ARC. I used to only flip through old copies of Vogue in dental waiting rooms and at magazine stalls in the airport as copies were so expensive, but i was always intrigued by the work that was put into making such a magazine, the characters behind the pages. As an adult i now regularly buy vogue and so was aware of Enninful’s hire as editor in chief. This book was a fascinating insight into his rise from a young boy in Ghana to the position at Vogue, and while the insights into the celebrity aspect of fashion was interesting, it was his story and career progression i found most interesting. I really enjoyed this book and hope to pick up a physical copy soon!
I didn't know very much about Edward Enninful apart from his role at Vogue before I picked up this book. I was expecting an expose of the world of fashion, backstage gossip about who the biggest divas are and what goes on during a photoshoot. While Enninful does touch on this briefly this book is so much more than a day in the life of a fashion editor.
This book is beautifully written, Enninful has a fantastic way with words, with painting a scene and giving you a depth of experience rarely found in books. He comes across as a deeply caring man with a desire to make the world a better place for all and I love his concept of diversity in an industry that is all too often fixated with thin white bodies.
If you aren't a fan of fashion, and I'm not, don't be put off. This is a wonderful book and I hope to read more of his work in the future.
This is a fascinating and well written memoir, detailing Enninful’s early life in Ghana, his journey to the UK as a refugee and his meteoric rise in the fashion world. A truly extraordinary story and some delicious name-dropping too. Highly recommend and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
A Visible Man by Edward Enninful is the author of this memoir, a man who has a story to tell and tells it well, in words and pictures. Edward Enninful became the first black editor in chief of British Vogue magazine and then went on to produce covers to include all manner of people previously never considered to be gain access of a front cover of a fashion magazine.
He is Black, gay, from a working class refugee family and has single-handedly changed the world of fashion to include many faces never consider before to grace a magazine cover. During the pandemic he produced covers of an octogenarian and then ordinary every day women working throughout the pandemic.
He has changed the landscape of fashion and more people than every before are included working in the industry of fashion and appearing on the front cover.
An interesting man with his own foibles and who changed the fashion industry forever.
Highly recommended
I haven't read Vogue for years, but I was intrigued to gain a behind the scenes insight into the workings of the magazine, and how Edward got to be Editor.
Certainly an inspirational life. Coming from Ghana, and at only the age of 18 becoming the fashion director of ID magazine. This isn't a name dropping book although we learn he was friends with Kate Moss before she was famous and also Naomi Campbell is a friend.
What I missed was an actual look at what an editor really does, more a day in the life of type of thing. However, it is certainly a thought provoking book with a long hard look at how Edward has lived his life in spite of setbacks and gained tremendous success. It is a warts and all look at his life, which is very brave and surprised me in parts.