Less than three months after Edward and Akua Enninful announced the launch of a global media and entertainment company called EE72, the siblings have revealed specific details about the venture including a quarterly print publication and a digital platform.
Set for a September debut, the platform will be known as EE72 while the publication is titled 72 Magazine. Both “aim to drive culture forward with news-making images and stories that transcend traditional media boundaries” with a focus on the intersection of fashion, beauty, luxury and culture, per the Enninfuls. The goal, it seems per the launch announcement, is to blend “the timeless depth of print with the dynamism of digital” with coverage of top creative forces, no doubt leaning into Edward Enninful’s enviable Rolodex of A-list stars, designers and creators gathered through years spent in the fashion and media space with tenures at British Vogue and as European editorial director of Vogue.
EE72’s platform will be led by Simone Oliver who has been tapped to serve as head of content. The team also includes Sarah Harris who has joined as editorial director, a position that will cover the magazine and digital platform. The mag’s creative direction will be led by Lee Swillingham and Stuart Spalding at Suburbia. Edward Enninful serves as co-founder and chief creative officer, and Akua Enninful holds the title of co-founder and CEO.
“When we founded our media and entertainment company, we knew we wanted EE72 to be built as a platform first, with 72 Magazine as its cornerstone, bringing together best-in-class teams to define and deliver boundary-breaking storytelling and content,” the siblings said in a joint statement. “This launch with a dedicated publication are shining examples of our vision to champion creative integrity and collaboration.”
Oliver, who describes herself as a media executive, storyteller, brand builder and creative strategist on her Instagram profile, comes to EE72 with more than 20 years of experience in media at such places as The New York Times, Refinery29, Meta, Condé Nast’s Allure, and BET. She’s a former adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s Newhouse NYC program, and currently serves on the advisory board for NYU’s Center for Publishing and Media.
British fashion journalist and editor Harris previously served as editor-at-large at British Vogue, where she worked with Edward Enninful. She spent more than two decades at the publication in roles that also included fashion features director, global network lead and deputy editor. A graduate of the London College of Fashion with a degree in fashion journalism, Harris’s resume includes stints at Tatler, Women’s Wear Daily and W in London. She’s also collaborated with brands like Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Prada, Fendi and Ralph Lauren.
Swillingham and Spalding are founders of London-based creative agency Suburbia. They, too, worked closely with Enninful during his tenure at British Vogue as they served as creative directors. Most recently, they held the creative reins at Harper’s Bazaar Italia. Their resumes include high-profile work at The Face magazine back in the day as well as steering Pop and Love magazines. Swillingham is the co-curator of The Face Magazine: Culture Shift exhibition now on view at London’s National Portrait Gallery.
The latest news on the EE72 venture comes during what has already been a big week for Edward Enninful. He teamed with Moncler and the house’s chairman and CEO Remo Ruffini to curate a lineup of Met Gala attendees outfitted in custom Moncler designs. That roster included Serena Williams, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, Vittoria Ceretti, Fei Fei Sun, Colin Kaepernick and Nessa Diab.
Edward Enninful helped craft the looks that reinterpreted Moncler designs fit for the occasion (puffers as evening wear), and it all telegraphed a collaboration to come. Also coming this September is the global debut of Moncler x EE72 by Edward Enninful.
