London-based photographer Nadine Ijewere shot music creative Selena Gomez for April 2021 Vogue, making her the first Black woman to shoot a cover for the American version of the publication.
Commenting on the occassion, 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
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.
When asked about being the first Black woman to shoot for British Vogue, Ijewere, who is a London College of Fashion graduate, responded, “I still find it hard to believe. Even a couple of months ago, I was saying that I hoped to work for Vogue some day, but I thought that dream was years and years away from becoming a reality.
“Beyond what the shoot has done for my career, it means a lot to me on a personal level. When I was studying, there were virtually no female photographers of color in this industry.”
