Speculation has been swirling following Edward Enninful’s announcement earlier this month that he was standing down as the editor of British Vogue to take up a “global advisory position” at the title.
But one thing is certain: Enninful may have gone global, but the capital will remain at the centre of his world, after he announced on Instagram that he has bought a new home in west London.
The deal was made off market so the property was never publicly listed, but Enninful’s post shows a pretty paved front garden with established planting and shady trees, leading down to a wrought iron gate onto what appears to be a garden square lined with period townhouses.
Captioning the photo, Enninful said: “So excited to share that we bought a new house in our beloved West London! #Iâ¤ï¸London #bestcityintheworld#IheartLondon #bestcityintheworld #newbeginnings”.
Fashion industry gossip abounds as to why the first black, gay man to edit the title’s tenure lasted only six years, a lightning flash compared to his predecessor Alexandra Shulman’s quarter century. Many allege he lost out in a battle for dominance with Anna Wintour, the indomitable editor of US Vogue and now chief content officer for Condé Nast, controlling all new global editions of its titles.
But the former fashion stylist said the move would give him “the freedom to take on broader creative projects” and he is rumoured to be considering working with everyone from Apple to car companies.
Wherever he ends up working, he will still have his base in the city he has called home since 1985, after moving over with his family from Ghana and settling in Ladbroke Grove.
Enninful bought the new property with his husband, the creative director Alec Maxwell, whom he married last year in the orangery at Longleat House, with Rihanna in attendance.
He tagged central London super-agent Becky Fatemi, founder of Rokstone properties and something of an afficionado of finding dream homes for celebrities, in his Insta post. She said she found the home for the couple and their dogs after a search spanning more than a year and a half, eventually finding the right home before it even reached the market.
“Being creative, both of them had a very strong interest in the architecture and design of London and they really took the time to understand what London had to offer and looking at different styles of property,” Fatemi added.
“They both feel that London is not only a good investment but also regard it as the best city in the world to live in, so thriving and vibrant. It was the right time – especially after they had got married and with the addition of a new puppy – to move into a property that they can now call a home, having previously lived in other parts of London.
“There is a waiting list for this type of property, it very rarely comes to the market and ticks all the boxes for a lot of people. We had to move very quickly and efficiently and the previous owners loved that it was selling to a family.”
