Earlier this year, British Vogue celebrated the fifth anniversary of Forces for Change, and invited the extraordinary women who featured in the record-breaking September 2019 issue that launched the initiative to nominate their champions for 2024 and beyond. Members of the new guard were among the crowd at Soho Mews House in Mayfair on Sunday night, where head of editorial content, Chioma Nnadi, toasted the changemakers, and raised a glass to Vogue’s renewed commitment to spotlighting individuals doing their bit to make the world a better place – in collaboration with its Forces for Change partners, eBay, Nike and BMW. “We’re rightly proud of the work we’ve done by using our voice as British Vogue to give a platform to inspiring leaders, rising stars and new disruptors,” Nnadi told attendees. “You are all part of our Vogue family. You all have a role in these conversations. I’m looking forward to working together.”
Among the honourees? The Iraqi-born Yazidi activist Nadia Murad, who not only survived being taken captive by Islamic State as a teenager, but went on to become a Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights activist. “Like the rest of the world, when I first heard Nadia Murad’s story, I was floored – may we all find even just a little bit of the strength, courage and vitality that she possesses,” said Nnadi, before Murad herself addressed guests including Alva Claire, Ncuti Gatwa and Honey Dijon. “I want to dedicate this recognition to all the women and girls living in conflict zones, under oppressive regimes, bound by outdated religious rules and constrained by government policies that strip away their rights,” said Murad. “These women defy the odds, challenge the status quo and fight tirelessly to make women’s rights a reality. As long as women like them continue to rise above unimaginable barriers, there is hope.”
There was also Olympian Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who paid tribute to the “phenomenal” Cindy Ngamba, the first ever medalist for the Refugee Olympic Team (“She’s a legend – I can’t believe it,” said the Cameroonian boxer, of being welcomed to the stage by the world champion), and stylist Harry Lambert, who honoured the “trailblazing” designers Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena (“Thank you so much for the recognition – it means a lot to us,” said the pair).
Below, see all the guests arriving at Soho Mews – which was decked out in fabulously festive florals by Blooming Haus for the occasion – for British Vogue’s Forces for Change celebration.
