Fashion + Beauty
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The groundbreaking, all-black issue of Italian Vogue (Tyra's in it!) is almost here
editor
There's a story in
The New York Times today about the
much anticipated all-black issue of July's Italian Vogue. The newspaper interviewed both editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani and photographer Steven Meisel about their awesome, monumental project—in which Meisel shot a full 100 pages.
Among my favorite bits:
- "Racial prejudice in the fashion industry has long persisted because of tokenism and lookism. 'We already have our black girl,' says a designer to a fashion-show casting agent, declining to see others. Or: 'She doesn’t have the right look.' Laziness, paranoia and pedantry may also have something to do with the failure to hire black models for shows and magazine features in any meaningful number."
- Sozzani says she was inspired by Barack Obama's campaign and the lack of diversity on the runways.
- Meisel says: "I thought, it’s ridiculous, this discrimination. It’s so crazy to live in such a narrow, narrow place. Age, weight, sexuality, race — every kind of prejudice.”
- And: "I have asked my advertising clients so many times, ‘Can we use a black girl?’ They say no.” The concern is that consumers will resist the product, he said. “It all comes down to money.”
The Times also got a sneak preview of the issue—which features models like Veronica Webb, Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks. The Italian Vogue magazine comes out in Europe next week, and will be available in the US shortly thereafter. You can see a slide show of the
really beautiful photos here.
Earlier
:
Italian Vogue devotes July issue exclusively to black models
Tyra-Banks is over Top Model, gearing up to be next Oprah
Related: tyra banks, italian vogue
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Posted by Joe Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:01pm PDT
nothing personal actually have dated a few women of color but why does the media perpetuate racial divide i scratch my temple .How come if it said an all white issue it would racial or a black person should be offended give me break with this.Could care less but enough to post where is Al Sharpton put him in the mag lol just one mans view .
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Posted by Prettybrownthing Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:31pm PDT
Well most fashion publications rarely use blacks models if any at all. Oh and then if they do its the usual suspects. I think this is a great way to showcase a wide range of black models. Mine Vogue just two months ago had there first black man to grace its cover. Vogue (American)has been in publication for over fifty years. Now we aren't talking about American Vogue. We talking about Italian Vogue. I'm excited. I think black models (women especially)don't get enough recognition. I say way to go!!!
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Posted by BeLLa Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:01pm PDT
Im with ^jjkingjr^ African Americans are all ready part of society what moe do you want? im tired of it as well, what they should make is a Latino or even Asian issue you never see a Latina model or even on commercials unless it is on a Spanish network or selling something that is purchsed by that race.
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Posted by chinkybrunette Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:26pm PDT
i think that the more they have these "special" issues makes it much more obvious that there is discrimination. I mean, why would they go out of their way to prove a point that should have been obvious?
But i'm really happy regarding their desire for variety in terms of race.
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Posted by Spinkiegirl Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:23pm PDT
To your question...KeMz: "What more do they want?" well for starters....let's start with this country having alot more equality....in case you didn't know....blacks in this country are still to this day, discriminated aginst on every level. i'am not saying we all are...but most are. and i should know...i'am bi-racial, (black&white). not to mention that for years......blacks were not consider to be anything more than second class citizens. no black person i know, ever wanted to be consider anything other than equal to all races....and unless you are a black person....you can't possibly know what our experinces have been since we were brought to this country as "slaves" and against our will!!! so that is why is perfectly fine to have a "all black" issue of anything.... here's another thing whites should think about.....you have NEVER heard anyone say the following: "he's the 1st. white Dr." "she's the 1st. white tv talk show host" "he's the 1st. white president" "she's the 1st. white head coach" get where i'am coming from??? if this country had equality...no one whould ever have a reason to say: "she's the 1st african-american to be crownd ms. america"!!!!! also, People magazine already has a version of a latino publication. and it is a known FACT...that anytime a black model was lucky enough to be on the cover of any fashion...that issue sold far less copies than when other races have been on the cover of the very same magazine....go look it up if you don't believe it!!!!
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Posted by Arabia Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:30pm PDT
I think this is a wounderful oportunity for black models.What people don't understand is that mostly women of color don't get that type of recignization they deserve.Most of the time because oh"they all look the same" or"she doesn't have the right look"they mentioned.Don't say we don't deserve it because we do.And BTW they do use Asian and Latino models.Just because you don't hear about doesn't mean they're not there just because they give it better recognization don't mean we're better,we've just suffered more discrimination.Something many other races may not understand.
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Posted by Bloody Noodle Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:12pm PDT
To be honest I must agree with both sides. African Americans just want to be treated equal but how can you treat them equal when they don't get the same respect? There are a lot of beautiful African American women out there and what these fashion people need to understand is that none of us are exactly alike. Just because I'm White American doesn't mean I'm any better than an African American. I'm dating an African American and him and I have had to deal with society treating us poorly. We struggle and struggle and seem to get knocked down more than we get to go forward. I'm by no means comparing my struggle with that of an average African American but I've gotten a small taste and it's rough. I say they managed to become a model and final got some recognition so let them enjoy it! Congratulations to the beautiful women in the magizine!
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Posted by DavADD Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:45am PDT
It's people like you that prevent the Black race from being treated equal!! There isn't a single model in this "..what you call a Special Issue" who feels discriminated towards or against!! Why in the hell would they be part of something that was putting them down or making them feel less equal than anyone else? Answer: They Wouldn't; just as you wouldn't be apart of or allow your picture to be placed in next months "Special Issue" called Ignorant People. What makes it racial is "YOU" and your simple mind. the Models in this mag are there because they're smok'in HOT. They are the icons of the black race because they decided to be different, the same people who decided to not follow suit or to go sit with everyone else - Nor did they decide to strike a pose "to be" or "to promote" discrimination.
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Posted by Ceci Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:52am PDT
I think this issue of july Vogue is long over due. Bump just have that one token black model. Let this be the new era in fashion. The black female body beautiful, strong, diverse enough to wear anything that deal with Fashion and it can be sold. Not just baby phat or sean john the black model can and will be seen in high Fashion couture and in high fashion areas. Hopefully Some time soon their will be an all latino base issue. Color Is Beauty!!!!!
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Posted by sld777 Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:07am PDT
If this issue was "all white" it would be banned from the shelves. Al sharpton would be all over it. Black people claim they want to be equal but they have to put "black" in front of everything they do. Black Entertainment television, african american college funds....It's rediculous.
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