They say 'heavy hangs the head that wears the crown', but only days before headlines broke with news of his Vogue appointment, Enninful was immersed in a project in downtown NYC – seemingly unaware of his soon-to-be iconic status across the pond. Instead of corralling the troupes for an editorial coup, or penning down plans for his swish new office, the black rights bastion was focused on his true message – inclusion matters.

The man making a difference in the world of diversity, Edward Enninful is known by many names; the innovator, the creator, the underdog and now, the collaborator. Working with the high street hero, GAP on their newest and most inclusive advertising campaign yet, ‘Bridging the GAP’ is not an ode to pretty faces – but a mission statement for Enninful’s approach to his new role as reigning king of cool.

A strong and singular voice for black society within the larger fashion sphere, Enninful has always been focused on the inequalities concerning race within the industry. Working his way up from model to protégé at some of the world’s most influential magazines, breaking through glass ceilings has become a habit for the Ghana-born, British-bred editor du jour, bucking the trend as the youngest creative director for iD at only 18 years old.

Continuing the trend as a black advocate with specially curated issues of Vogue, endless fashion awards and finally, Her Majesty’s OBE, his latest role as a custodian of zeitgeist has started well before he enters into the lobby of Condé Nast HQ – returning to street level with this ode to GAP’s most infamous basic, Enninful said: “It can be worn by anyone regardless of age, gender or personal style and can be tailored, dressed, accessorised, customised and styled to reflect the individual wearing it. There is nothing more classic in the realm of casual than jeans and a white tee - a look that is inherently Americana and reminiscent of the American Dream - an optimistic dream of opportunity, individuality, freedom, and the embodiment of one living their truth.” (Source, The Evening Standard).

With a passion for diversity written in his DNA, Enninful has spent his career campaigning for change – and as the style Bible’s first male, black, and homosexual editor, it looks like the GAP campaign is just the tip of the iceberg, he said: “People who have historically been marginalised are raising their voices. We’ve got to keep this conversation going. Social media and technology are democratising and opening up fashion and the process of fashion for all - this has good and bad sides but that comes with any change. I truly believe in brighter days ahead”. (Source, The Evening Standard).

A celebration of beauty, individuality and freedom in all its forms, Enninful is creating a blank canvas for the future of fashion, and he’s starting with your basic white tee. Join the movement and watch behind the scenes footage here: gap.com/bridgingthegap