Edward Enninful’s first cover as editor of British Vogue could have gone to any of the world’s top models. In December 2017, he chose Adwoa Aboah, a model known as much for her openness about addiction and depression as for her freckles and shaved head. It was a statement about the kind of magazine he wanted to run.
Family
Adwoa Aboah was born in London in 1992. Her father, Charles Aboah, is Ghanaian and worked in property; her mother, Camilla Lowther, is English and runs a fashion agency. Her younger sister, Kesewa, is also a model.
Early struggles
Aboah has spoken openly about depression, addiction and a suicide attempt in her early twenties. After treatment, she decided to use her experience to help others.
Gurls Talk
In 2015, she founded Gurls Talk, a platform and community where young women can talk about mental health, sexuality, education and self-esteem. It runs events, workshops and a podcast.
Modelling career
Aboah has walked for leading fashion houses and appeared in campaigns for brands including Marc Jacobs and Burberry. In 2017, she won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards.
The Vogue cover
The December 2017 British Vogue cover, Enninful’s first, showed Aboah in a headscarf and earrings. It signalled a more diverse direction for the magazine.
Acting
Aboah has acted too, including a role in the series Riches (2022), a British drama about a Black family business.
Ghanaian roots
Her name, Adwoa, is the Akan name for a girl born on Monday. She has visited Ghana and spoken about her connection to her father’s homeland.
Influence
Aboah is part of a generation of models who use their platforms for causes. Her honesty has encouraged many young people to talk about their own struggles.
Speaking out
Aboah has spoken at schools, universities and conferences about mental health and addiction. She has said that talking about her own experiences was part of her recovery, and that young people need spaces where they can be honest without shame.
Fashion and change
Her rise came as the fashion industry faced pressure to become more diverse. Aboah’s success, with her mixed heritage, freckles and short hair, reflected a broader shift in what modelling agencies and magazines were willing to promote.
Many models are famous for their faces. Adwoa Aboah has become known for what she says, and for making it easier for others to say it too.
