Cover girl: Briton Jourdan Dunn
Black Models. Since the beginnings of time, they have always been second or third best in the fashion industry, and that is such a shame. The world of beauty is and has always been more than fair skin. Now, Italian Vogue, or what is now be coined the Black Vogue, has caused worldwide attention to the underused black models by placing them throughout the entire magazine. Yes, and only black models.
The photographer, Steven Meisel, of all the great shots in the magazine is quoted as stating his disgust with the prejudice in the fashion industry, and when he would even request to shoot black females the response he would get would be a flat out NO. What a shame.
Is it that black hasn't ever been fashionable? And since when was the color of skin fashion? Isn't it the clothing, accesories, etc. Better yet, the magazine's editor, Franca Sozzani, stated that it was actually protests as well as seeing Barack Obama make it so far that made her desire to use black models.
So is it that now because of protests and Obama that the black models are 'in' and can bring more money to the table? Italian Vogue may have done something that has never been done before, but the remarks made by the editor cause it so seem not so built on doing what is right versus the whole money in the bank by capitalizing on Barack Obama.
But then again, maybe she is legit in her (Franca Sozzani)claim that it is just that "We were trying to think of something new, Obama was fighting Hillary, and I began to notice that all these girls at fashion shows looked alike." Again, what has Obama got to do with it? The answer - much. That said, is the whole I want to showcase black women for simply who they are and to stomp on the stereotypes really the reason for the Black Vogue issue? If Obama loses, will the black model suddenly be out of style again?
The underappearance of black models in fashion is nothing more than a disgrace, and though there are questions about the real reason for making Black Vogue, they still deserve applause for simply pushing forward and doing it. Great job to the editor, Franca Sozzani, and of course, one of the best photographers in the world who has never been a sucker for only one race, Steven Meisel.]]>
