Nadine Ijewere is a Nigerian Jamaican photographer who lives in London. Providence just made history through her as she becomes the first Black woman to shoot a cover for American Vogue, The Cut reports.
Ijewere is no stranger to firsts; she was also the first woman of color to shoot a British Vogue cover in 2018.
She primarily photographs on the subject of identity and diversity, inspired by her Nigerian and Jamaican heritage.
While at school, Ijewere took up photography among her more serious A-level subjects of physics, chemistry, biology and maths. However, drawn to the creative field, she went on to study photography at UAL’s London College of Fashion .
After graduating, Ijewere started working for an interior design company in Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, shooting her images in her spare time. She credits social media with helping build up relationships with her earlier collaborators, including the stylist Ibrahim Kamara , and casts models from Instagram.
When speaking to the magazine about the lack of diversity in the industry she said, “When I was studying, there were virtually no female photographers of colour…I feel like in doing this I’m proving to younger girls from a similar background that it’s achievable. It also feels like part of a broader shift within our culture to include far more diversity, both behind the camera and in front of it.”
The Jamaican-Nigerian photographer worked with fellow trailblazer, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, who served as stylist and fashion editor for this historic cover. In January 2021, Karefa-Johnson made history as the first Black woman to style a Vogue cover. As she continues to break down walls, Ijewere hopes her work will pave the way for more Black women in a historically male-dominated industry.
“As a young Black woman, I didn’t imagine that I would one day have the opportunity to shoot a cover for American Vogue. I’m so honored to have been able to work with my fellow sister Gabriella Karefa-Johnson. I hope this encourages Black women that there is space for us to take in this industry,” the 29-year-old said.
Photo Courtesy of Vogue UK/Vogue US
