Nadine Ijewere Makes History As First Black Woman To Shoot American Vogue Cover
I’m going to celebrate every time a Black woman becomes a first. In a society that wasn’t built for us to succeed- I will always clap my hands for other Black women who are breaking barriers in their industry.
London-based photographer Nadine Ijewere shot Selena Gomez for April 2021 Vogue, making her the first Black woman to shoot a cover for the American version of the publication.
Ijewere took to Instagram where she wrote, “As a young black women i didn’t imagine that I would one day have the opportunity to shoot a cover for American Vogue. I’m so honoured to have been able to work with my fellow sister [stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson]. I hope this encourages black women that there is space for us to take in this industry . Thanks also to the team for working hard during these difficult times.”
Ijewere was born and raised in southeast London by a Nigerian father and a Jamaican mother. Ijewere has shot covers for British Vogue and Vogue Espana (Naomi Campbell) and Allure (Rihanna), among others. Her shot of Dua Lipa for British Vogue’s January 2019 also marked the first time the cover was shot by a Black woman.
