A while back, we announced something groundbreaking: the July issue of Vogue Italia would feature all black models. While I don't think it should be a big to-do, because this should be happening anyway, unfortunately it is and it's not happening. This rides on the heels of the runways being so white washed as of late. And let's not forget the late and great Yves Saint Laurent, who encouraged the use of African-American models and launched the career of Naomi Campbell.
The proofs are in! Naomi, Jourdan Dunn, Liya Kebede, and Sessilee Lopez can all call themselves cover girls because each has a separate cover, photographed by Steven Meisel. Not to pin these gorgeous gals against one another, but just as friendly competition, which Vogue Italia cover do you think is most Fab? And while we're on the subject — do you think this is a step in the right direction for model diversity?
Barbara Bui
Chantelle
Katia Lombardo
I love Liya. She is such a cool girl.
1Liya.
2never been a naomi fan, and can't believe jourdan's is ahead - she looks awkward in that photo.
3I love love love love this cover!
4I hated to voted because they are all fab so i wont reveal which i voted for. I AM SO HAPPY THIS IS HAPPENING!!!!.....
5I meant hate to vote..lol
6They're all beautiful but I love Liya! She's incredibly gorgeous!
7Cant vote because they all look amazing BUT Liya is my favorite model. I cannot wait till I get my hands on this issue! I am so happy Vogue Italia did this, great move!
8I love all 4 covers and think Jourdan's is the most interesting of the bunch. I would like to make one point though, could we not have had one model that was a bit darker? Though Naomi's natural skin-tone is much deeper than the it appears, she seems to have the same skin-color as the three other fairer ladies. I will definitely be picking up a copy when i find it at Borders but I do wonder why models with deeper and richer skin-tones were not put on the cover.
9Liya!
10Liya's , it is the most eye catching.
11I'm torn between Liya's and Jourdan's...
12Totally agree with you Emsmily. I was wondering why there weren't more skin tones represented although all these models are simply stunning, especially Liya and Jourdan.
13I voted for Liya's and Naomi is my other favorite. Paris Vogue actually had a black model for the 2 covers of the French Issue but they did it quietly without announcing it so I guess it wasn't noticed. Actually for being a French issue, it's actually lacking in French models. I only care about that though because my favorite ones like Audrey Marnay, Joanna Preiss and if she still models Anna Catherine Lacroix aren't in it. And for new models I would have loved to see Heloise Guerin in it who I actually read actually has African ancestry along with Irish but I don't see it at all.
14Liya is totally my favorite - she is so beautiful, she takes my breath away!
15Liya has been my favorite model for 5 years. I wish I were her stylist.
16Liya, hands down. She is absolutely radiant.
17they're all fab!
18Those cheekbones are intense so i pick her
19I refuse to choose they are are LOVEEEEELY...it's great seeing someone that looks like me on 4 times over on a cover of a mag
20Liya...her cheekbones and stare into the camera are very intense. I also like Sessilee. It's good they are doing this, but I agree with Fab, this fanfare, etc. shouldn't be necessary because fashion should feature models of all ethnicities all the time. More representation!
21i'm just happy they are taking more steps on putting Black/African models on the cover. Recently on BET they did a report on black models not getting enough attention or not having enough on the catwalk. I'm proud that Andre of Vogue is doing his thing and making sure that Blacks/Africans get their shine on. I love the covers of the magazine but I hope they are not just doing it b/c they haven't had any black models? but with this step i want to see more black/african, asian and spanish/latinas on the cover!!
22LIYA!
23Sessilee
24luv
25Jourdan...
26well, it's about time! i like naomi and liya.
27love alll of them! just happy that they are focusing more on black models, hope this isn't a one time thing.
28I like Jourdan's the best - the hat is great!
29I can't wait for this issue to hit the stands!!!
30They all look so great. Jourdan and Liya have my fav shots. This is really wonderful and I hope to see more asians and latinas as well. I'm proud of seeing fellow blacks, but more diveristy overall just rocks.
31Don't like the yellow hat shot, think it looks out of balance.
Really like the other three but in the end I chose Sessilee....absolutely stunning eyes, super expression, neat gear.
Liked Liya's shot a lot as well (what cheekbones!), but just found Sessilee's more "Vogue."
As for Naomi, though I have a fondness for all the "oldschool" supermodels, including her, I think to truly promote the cause we should be seeing new faces of colour, and not the same "previously acceptable" ones. Naomi is cool and all, but ideally the market would be flooded with diversity, and one woman cannot do that alone. Most everyone knows who Tyra is, and Naomi, and most likely Iman.
But I wonder how many non-industry faces would go blank if I mentioned Veronica Webb, for instance? Maybe even Alek Wek?
Then take another step and find runway models that are well known Asians? Indians? That gets even harder, it seems, and yet surely nobody would argue the fact that faces like Lucy Liu's are totally amazing. Former Miss China, Du Juan, has lovely presence and bone structure, and though she models now I have to wonder if anyone has even heard of her.
Just as it frustrates me that hips and breasts seem taboo in an industry that seems to loathe the shape of a woman, I never understand why fashion is this same way about colour or beauty.
I don't just want to see white faces in magazines, nor would the colour of a model influence how I feel about what she is promoting.
Bleh, I am rambling now but anyway, though it is a bandage and not a real remedy, I hope that Italian Vogue's decision to make this leap will echo across the industry and get women of colour back on the runways and mag pages!
32Though I love all the covers, agreeing they are ALL beautiful, I do have a favorite!!! Naomi Campbell wins hands down, not only in the looks department, but also in personality! She is a much maligned and miunderstood Supermodel! Imagine the adversity she has endured just to stand on equal footing! this is all with Lesser pay!! One must realize that because of her Caribbean background she has a low tolerance for crap! This makes her more appealing and a consumate celebrity! To all of the Haters, Get a Life!!!!!! Don't Hate, Celebrate!!!! The other thing is that most Americacan't relate to her British Divaness! I LOVE IT!!!!!
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