Culture at the Core: The New Fashion Visionaries
A new generation of editors and creative directors is taking the reins, pushing fashion beyond glossy fantasy to tell stories of heritage, identity, and culture. Coming from the margins of an industry that has long ignored their narratives, they are reshaping aesthetic and editorial codes, challenging a system that has been stagnant for too long. Who are they, and how is their vision redefining the way we see—and think about—fashion?
Samira Nasr
A new wave of editors and creative directors is tearing down fashion’s old guard, replacing glossy illusions with narratives rooted in heritage, culture, and identity. Coming from the fringes of an industry that has long erased their stories, they’re rewriting the visual and editorial language of fashion, dismantling its exclusivity in the process. Who are they, and how is their gaze reshaping not just how we see fashion—but how we think about it?.
« My perspective is naturally inclusive. It is essential for me to open a new chapter in Bazaar’s history by amplifying those who are shaping our time. »
She’s not just changing the tone of the magazine—she’s reinventing it. From day one, Nasr has led a complete overhaul of Bazaar, reshaping its formats and franchises to connect with new communities. Under her direction, the site now draws 12.5 million unique visitors per month—a growth that speaks to her vision of making luxury more inclusive, more dynamic, and more relevant than ever.
To bring this vision to life, Nasr has built a bold inner circle: Laura Genninger as creative director, Leah Chernikoff as executive editor, and Nikki Ogunnaike leading digital. A strategic trio driving a fundamental revolution.
Her commitment goes beyond the pages of the magazine. As a member of the CFDA Black Advisory Board, she actively pushes for a more inclusive and equitable fashion industry. For Nasr, innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about representation. Who gets to tell the stories? Who’s behind the lens? Who has a seat at the table?
Her journey? A meteoric rise. From assisting the legendary Grace Coddington at Vogue to sharpening her eye at Elle and InStyle, before leaving her mark at Vanity Fair. Now, as the head of Bazaar, she’s not just editing a magazine—she’s redefining luxury for a new generation.
« Fashion is a platform to celebrate the diversity of today’s world. What we wear, what we create, must reflect all human stories. »
Ib Kamara
Ib Kamara, photographed by Kristin-Lee Moolman.
Born in Sierra Leone during the civil war, Ib Kamara arrived in London at 16. After a brief detour into medicine, he enrolled at Central Saint Martins and quickly made his mark with his visionary aesthetic. His rise has been meteoric: from Dazed, where he became editor-in-chief, to Off-White™, succeeding Virgil Abloh as artistic director and image curator in 2022.
n 2022, Kamara collaborated with photographer Hugo Comte for an exhibition titled "Testament" at the Hussenot Gallery in Paris. The exhibition reimagined religious and cultural iconographies, offering innovative perspectives on established symbols.
Testament, by Hugo Comte and IB Kamara, Photography Hugo Comte, Styling IB Kamara
« You can change an entire universe, a way of thinking, through image, communication, and the way you perceive the world. »
In 2024, he shapes Usher’s looks for the Super Bowl, dresses Beyoncé for Renaissance, and infuses his DNA into Balenciaga and Thom Browne. By 2025, he’s defining the fashion identity of the Dazed Spring Issue and American Vogue with Sabrina Carpenter. He just launched the new Miss Sixty campaign with Bella Hadid, photographed by Carlijn Jacobs, and continues to challenge the status quo with Off-White™ on the Paris and New York runways.
Chioma Nnadi
Chioma Nnadi, portrait
Chioma Nnadi, of Nigerian descent and born in London, represents a radical new era at the helm of British Vogue UK, succeeding Edward Enninful, one of the most influential editors in contemporary fashion. She became the first Black woman to take the reins of this prestigious magazine, marking a historic turning point for both Vogue and the fashion industry as a whole.
Nnadi began her role on October 9, 2023, marking a pivotal moment for inclusivity and diversity in fashion. Her vision, both refined and bold, draws from her African roots while embracing a deeply international approach.
With her experience at Vogue US, where she transformed the digital landscape of fashion, Nnadi has always amplified marginalized voices and told stories that break beyond conventions. Her journey empowers her to reinvent contemporary fashion with a sharp focus on diversity, inclusivity, and the pressing social, political, and environmental issues of our time.
« I believe we have a huge responsibility, as media, to pave the way for new perspectives, challenge norms, and celebrate fashion that includes all cultures, all identities, without exception. »
Under her leadership, British Vogue is set to reinvent itself. Far from clichés and sanitized images, she aims to capture a fashion that is more fluid, more inclusive, engaging with contemporary concerns. Her drive to deconstruct traditional beauty stereotypes will be reflected in an editorial direction that expands the boundaries of representation.
With Chioma Nnadi at the helm, British Vogue will no longer just follow trends—it will create them, becoming a true mirror of our time. Under her vision, fashion becomes a platform for resistance and inspiration, a space where tomorrow’s narratives are shaped—powerful and real.
« I want to ensure that Vogue reflects the diversity of our time, not just on paper, but authentically—by giving visibility to stories and voices that are often unheard in fashion. »
More Women Shaping the World
Nikki Ogunnaike
Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire USA, Nikki Ogunnaike represents a new wave of fashion journalists who no longer just follow trends—they shape them. Having worked at GQ, Elle, and Glamour, she champions a vision where style and politics merge unapologetically.
Andrea Thompson
At the helm of Marie Claire UK, Andrea Thompson disrupts the smooth narratives of British fashion. A seasoned journalist (The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Grazia), she injects substance into the pages of a magazine she aims to make as incisive as it is glamorous.
Kenya Hunt
Kenya Hunt, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE UK, is a driving force behind an editorial renaissance where fashion is seen as a cultural and political prism. Formerly of Grazia UK, she authored Girl: Essays on Black Womanhood in 2020, a manifesto of Black femininity liberated from Western dictates.
Jessica Cruel
First Black woman to lead Allure USA, Jessica Cruel is deconstructing the beauty industry from within. Committed to authentic representation of diversity, she infuses her magazine with a more genuine aesthetic and voice, moving away from the outdated, rigid standards of the past. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of Self Magazine.
