it just speaks to the continued colonialist standards that a white woman should represent the beauty ideal in asian countries. there are dozens of beautiful models in both china and india that could have inaugurated these covers, and it makes me sad to think that beauty standards worldwide remain so narrow.

I agree with above ^^^^^^^^^ they should feel more confident about themselves...Personally I think Shilpa Shetty should be on the vogue India cover...

Look how many Chinese models are ON the first cover. It looks like they are trying to say (with gemma) "Look, we are taking Vogue (an American magazine) to China" and she is surrounded by Chinese models.

totally agree with krampalicious

Being Asian, I don't understand why Gemma is on the covers of these magazines either other than the fact she is the #1 Supermodel (especially in high fashion editorials) right now. She must have some powerful management or something.

Word. Models are already too far away from reality to include someone who is not Asiatic at all. The Chinese cover is not a bad idea but it would have been better with the top local models. There are many issues in which foreign ones can be the cover but the first one should be special.

I agree with krampalicious.

I love her and Lilly Cole!

i dont' understand, if it's the inaugral issue, they should at the very least have an indian model grace the cover.

Even though I love Gemma (on any cover,yess ) , I think they should have chosen an Indian model for the first cover . because first covers matter ... I also believe that they should have shown a blend of traditionalism (Indian model) and originality (Indian style) to be impressive and catchy ("Vogue" : name is catchy enough though) , well , what do I know, huh?

As an asian, I would've preferred if an Indian model got the Indian Vogue's inaugural cover. Gemma is undoubtedly gorgeous, but it seems a bit harder for more ethnic models to really make it in the fashion and beauty industry.

I'll support Gemma in almost anything she does, but I think they should have chosen an Indian model for the first issue. Indian women are so gorgeous...I'm sure it wouldn't have been that hard.
But I think Vogue India might have chosen Gemma for the first issue to get the point across that they're an international fashion magazine, and not focused on just the fashion scene of their country.
Either way, Gemma's awesome, but an Indian woman would have been a better choice.

There are tons of Chinese models that could put, some are just as famous and as pretty looking as her and are of Chinese descendants. No offense, i just am not that into Vogue China, I've read a issue, but whenever i go back and do buy any mags, it usually is not Vogue, probably Raily (China's own, just like teen,cosmo, much better, fits the Chinese style!) Please, the Americanization is so yesterday, give it up, just because Chinese ppl eat Macdonald's doesn't mean the are going to be americanized...

i totally feel that they should have put an indian (or chinese) model for the inaugral cover. there are a TONNE of indian supermodels (padma lakshmi being the most well known).
the message put across to other readers is quite aristocratic, fair skinned empowerment, all knowing, successful and world traveller white celebrity. i KNOW gemma ward loves india but come on, vogue.

~quite the disappointed reader.

She looks a bit out of place.