Another man takes over at Vogue: Manuel Arnaut named editor in chief of Vogue Arabia

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Apr 14, 2017

Nervora, the Condé Nast International licensee of Vogue Arabia, has named Manuel Arnaut to be the magazine’s new editor-in-chief, succeeding Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, who was fired after just two issues.

 The appointment of Arnaut marks the third time in the past 90 days that Condé Nast has chosen a man to rule its flagship women’s title. Last week, Condé Nast International appointed Edward Enninful to be the new editor-in-chief of British Vogue. This January, Emanuele Farneti was named editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia.
 
Arnaut joins Vogue from a sister publication AD Arabian, where has been editor-in-chief since March 2015, helming the title from its founding issue. Portuguese-born Arnaut began his career with Vogue Portugal, before being named Editor at GQ Portugal, and having his work published in Vogue and GQ Brazil. His new position takes effect on May 7.

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“After starting my professional life at Vogue, and having grown up devouring each page of its international editions, I'm deeply honored to have the opportunity to come ‘home,’ at the helm of Vogue Arabia. With the rich heritage of the Middle East as a starting point — and its eyes on the future — Vogue Arabia celebrates the region’s fashion and cultural identity, presenting it to the world in a luxurious, upbeat, and contemporary style. In an exciting climate of modernity and creativity, the team and I are committed to working towards a Vogue Arabia that is the proud voice of the region, representing the strength and allure of the Arab woman,” said Arnaut in a release.
 
Added Shashi Menon, CEO & Publisher, Nervora and Vogue Arabia: “Manuel Arnaut brings over a decade of Condé Nast editorial experience combined with a strong track record of regional success. We look forward to him building on Vogue Arabia’s foundation.”
 
His arrival comes just two days after Nervora unceremoniously fired Aljuhani Abdulaziz. Remarkably, Nervora sacked the princess just five days after she staged a hyper-glamorous launch party for Vogue Arabia in the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar with Naomi Campbell, local princesses and uber-models dancing to a Lauryn Hill performance.
 
Nonetheless, Menon insisted that the banished editor had “earned a place in the history of fashion and Vogue... as the Launch Editor-in-Chief or Vogue Arabia.”
 
“Following one of the most high-profile debuts for any edition of Vogue, Abdulaziz will move on from her role, having successfully fulfilled her commitment to create a platform from which to challenge perceptions of Arab women and present alternative narratives coming out of the Middle East, while exposing diverse audiences to the region’s rich past and contemporary design scene. All at Vogue Arabia wish to thank Deena for the visionary launch and for preparing the groundwork for the future of the brand.”
 
At her appointment in July 2016, Abdulaziz was already a noted figure in fashion circles – having attended the runway shows in Europe for several seasons as the founder and buyer of private Internet boutique D’NA. Her debut March issue featured Gigi Hadid on the cover; April starred Imaan Hammam, an Egyptian/Moroccan beauty.