Honoring Edward Enninful

On Wednesday night, supporters of the New York Urban League gathered in the ballroom at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for the 49th Annual Frederick Douglass Awards. This year, the award, which honors leaders who work to eliminate racial barriers and promote the disadvantaged, went to W‘s fashion and style director Edward Enninful, who grinned from ear to ear as he made his way through the party. Enninful’s W colleagues Lynn Hirschberg, Johan Svensson, Regan Solmo, and Giovanna Battaglia came out to show their support while stylish guests sang his praises. “I always call Edward my fashion daddy,” said model Jourdan Dunn with a smile. “He just nurtures me and he’s been there from day one. He’s just an amazing person.” Also on hand to show her support was the designer Diane von Furstenberg. “He’s the most soulful person in the world,” she gushed. “He’s a poet—he’s beautiful inside and out and I adore him!” Enninful, before being presented with the prize by his friend Naomi Campbell, took a moment to consider the honor. “To be a British person receiving such huge American recognition—I’m very humbled by it.”