Waitrose worker makes front cover of British Vogue
In a break with tradition, the new issue of British Vogue won’t feature a celebrity or supermodel on the front cover, but rather key workers who have been going above and beyond the call of duty during the coronavirus outbreak.
This includes Anisa Omar, 21, who works as a supermarket assistant at Waitrose King’s Cross. She is one of three frontline workers to appear on a special gatefold cover, the other two being London Overground train driver Narguis Horsford and midwife Rachel Millar.
Fashion photographer Jamie Hawkesworth spent two weeks working his magic for the edition, which includes portraits of NHS staff, delivery drivers, teachers and MPs across 20 pages and is available from Friday, 5th June.
The decision to use non-celebrities for the cover was taken by Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful: “This moment in history has seen society shift its attention on to some of the people who are not usually afforded the spotlight,” he says.
“I am proud that our July issue is able to provide a special moment of thanks to the NHS and everyone on the frontline saving lives every day. Our trio of cover stars represent the millions of people in the UK who, at the height of the pandemic, in the face of dangers large and small, put on their uniforms and work clothes and went to help people".
Omar describes the whole experience as “crazy - but so nice to be appreciated in this way. It’s nice being a key worker. My job was not something that was that big of a deal before. But now it’s like we’re important. We have to be here, regardless of what’s happening in the world. It’s more than just a job now.”
She adds: “Being on the cover of Vogue is not something I ever imagined I would do, but I feel so lucky to be a part of this experience. I live in a house of key workers - both my brother and sister work in different Waitrose branches so we will be excited to see the magazine on sale in our shops when we arrive at work.”
