It isn't supermodels or duchesses gracing British Vogue this month, but the UK's frontline workers as the prestigious magazine honours those working to fight the coronavirus and look after citizens during one of the most impactful medical crises in recent history.
Titled "The New Front Line", gone are the edgy photoshoots, the editorial make-up and the luxurious fashion, and in their places are three female frontline workers: Anisa Omar, a 21-year-old supermarket employee in King's Cross, Narguis Horsford, a train driver on the London Overground and Rachel Millar, a 24-year-old midwife from East London.
Writing on Instagram, editor-in-chief Edward Enninful said: "If you had told me at the beginning of the year that British Vogue's July cover stars would feature a community midwife, a train driver and supermarket worker, I might not have believed you.
"But, as our nation perseveres against Covid-19, we find ourselves leaning not on the powers that be, but on ordinary people and their extraordinary strength and kindness."
Photographed by Jamie Hawkesworth, each wearing their work uniforms rather than runway creations or the latest "it" bag, each woman speaks of how their jobs have changed since the outbreak of Covid-19. "Before the pandemic", Omar says, "my job was not really that big a deal, but now it's like we’re important. It’s nice."
"It's more than just a job now. It's such a nice title, being a key worker", Omar adds. "I'm very proud to be a key worker". Horsford says, "and I feel like I'm doing my part because I have to get key workers to work."
Millar, who says she grew up on a farm in Northern Ireland, shared her memories of lambing season each year, helping her grandparents with their work, and how now her favourite part of her work is being with women at that special moment in their lives.
She recalled how "one of the hardest" moments for her came when her bike was stolen. "If you've ever watched Call the Midwife, you’ll know the importance of two wheels to an east London midwife, especially when we’re desperately trying to avoid public transport", she says. "Having to carry on working for the rest of the week, maintain good morale, and be that reassuring voice to worried parents was made slightly more difficult."
Incredibly, a friend helped her raise £500 for a new bike after one of Millar's tweets for help caught attention.
Horsford, meanwhile, shares how she has to get up when many people would be going to bed – between 1:30am and 2am – to make sure she gets into work on time. "But it gives me such a rewarding feeling", she says.
"To resume to 'normal' would be a step in the wrong direction". Millar says."After the 8pm claps fade and the free meals, I really hope the NHS isn't forgotten."
Discussions about heroes and the people putting their lives at risk to help the rest of us have been ongoing since the start of the outbreak, but these three women remain humble and focused. "I am no hero, but I'm proud of being a train driver and the essential role we are playing during the coronavirus crisis", Horsford says in the profile.
