this is awesome! i'd love to go to India someday. I just love Indian culture. I'm going to try to see if I can subscribe to this. Indian women are so gorgeous!

What about the world's most beautiful woman? Aishwarya Rai?

India seems so fashionable, and I'm not surprised they came out with Vogue over there.

i am suprised rai wasnt on the cover but stil it looks great!

gosh, i sounded like such a fangirl. lol.

Aish, Aish, Aish....she's an overrated personality. She is beyond gorgeous but she can't act to save her life. She's just smart and pretty to look at. I like her but I like Rani more. PUT RANI ON THE COVER! LOVE her.

Umm why is there a non-Indian on the cover? Can people not have western ideals of beauty around for once? Get rid of the blond.

i totally agree. i commented on that in the fold-out picture. makes me sick to see that..and she's the skinniest one there! ugh.

Yeah Indielove, I checked your comment out. I looked her up on Wikipedia and she is not of Indian descent. Also she was on the inaugural cover for Vogue: China. ICK.. The fashion industry needs to stop this. Women from around the world should be celebrated and not have blonds on their covers.

Gemma Ward should def not been apart of the cover. I think it its really cool how they mixed indian actresses and models!

I don't understand why Gemma has to be in every new Vogue that comes out! First Vogue China, now Vogue India! As much as I adore Gemma, she doesn't really have a place on their first cover. I think the first cover of Vogue India should feature Indian models and women exclusively. Subsequent issues can and should encorporate international models to widen the magazine fan base.

They made the mistake of it once with Vogue China and I'm sad to see it again with Vouge India!

Why is Gemma Ward on the cover does she have Indian heitage that I missed. Seriously they just had to throw her in. Whatever. Anyway I want to go to India.

Seems to me like they're trying to show that they're bringing India into the world of fashion(bringing Western ideals to India) by sticking her in there, but why couldn't they choose someone with darker hair, let that person blend in. She sticks out like a sore thumb.

Honestly, I think it's a nice idea, Indian culture is fantastic but I don't know how well it'll fare in the market over there. Indians are really very traditional people and even though they are modern, they keep alot of the same core values, it seems. I mean I remember watching that movie 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' with Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Murkerji, Amitabh & Abhishek Bachchan, and Preity Zinta(middle of the fold-out cover for those who don't know) and it was poorly received by the people in India because the storyline dealt with infidelity and they felt that it was too Westernized. I really like the movie but I understood how they felt. They probably felt that it's not right for them to be portrayed like us in the West because they ultimately believe in being faithful and staying together forever in marriage. I don't know but that's what I understand about them. It's crazy to see how Aishwarya is all over Hollywood these days, and the cosmetic market, and I feel that it's just to take advantage of her beauty for marketing. I don't think she's a great actress and her movies haven't done well in the US but she's just so pretty to look at that these movie and cosmetic producers are wanting to make money because of her face.

Anyway, hopefully it'll sell in India. *shrugs* I'd like to read that new issue. Hopefully I can buy it at the bookstore soon.

um, yea the white girl looks so out of place here but anyways, its cool to read so many nice comments abt india here
except fr the aishwariya rai thing- she is sooo overrated and a horrible actress- can't stand her fake accent!

I don't really understand the big deal about having Gemma on this cover. We wouldn't be upset if one of these Indian models was on the cover of American Vogue. Or, for that matter, if an Indian magazine opened an American version, if an Indian model joined American models on the cover. Vogue is clearly a western magazine, and part of western culture. I think the cover represents the joining of the two cultures.

It's not that it's a HUGE deal, it's more about what it show the target audience in India. Will Indian women be able to relate to some blond-haired, blue-eyed stick or one of their one, fabulous, probably inspirational Indian women gracing the cover of Vogue India?

Let's ponder that.

i see your point bhilb but i don't know i still don't like seeing gemma ward with all of these gorgeous indian stars on an indian vouge.

i meant to say "one of their OWN fabulous, probably inspirational Indian women..."

I'm sorry but Ive never seen anything pretty about the girl in the middle.

Totally agree, she won a teen magazine model comp here in Australia even though she's really nothing special. Maybe she's just there to prove how much more beautiful the other two women are.

Stunning! We NEED a little more Indian culture! They're colorful and beautiful and we have a lot to learn from them!

The Vogue institute is legendary. It's great that they are extending their reach to another facet of fascinating culture and fashion that our world has to offer. Also, it gives a face to the exotic beauty of India.

I hope they'll sell it in Toronto! It would make sense to.
Now they just need to start Vogue Canada and I'll be happy!

Wow, there's no Vogue Canada? Shocking. I guess that's because the US and Canada are pretty much considered 'similar'(dumb, I know) JUST because they share the same continent. Pfft. You guys should have your own Vogue too, in my opinion.

I appreciate this conversation about the connection between standards of fashion and ideals of beauty and social and political histories and tensions. The Australian (specifically, thin, white, and with straight blond hair) model's presence on an Indian (albeit owned by a Western Company) Fashion magazine is significant because it speaks of the continual colonization of India. (While Australian was also a British colony, it was modeled more as a British outpost than a slave/exotic treat of the Empire. Race/Ethnicity is [almost] always a factor.) So while Indian culture certainly continues to embrace/be subjected to Western culture, it still maintains its own history, its own ideals.

My point, while many Indian women wear their Jimmy Choos with their Saris, they do not [hopefully] stick their fingers down their throats and always look perfect for their "men." perhaps instead of trusting a symbol of Western culture, the cover would be more effective to see how prominent beautiful/talented/intelligent Indian women articulate their personal incorprations of traditional Indian and avant-grade Western cultures.

I think Gemma should have been on the insert, not blasted dead-center on the front cover.

mzsej: What a well thought-out, intelligent response. You brought up some points in didn't even think of before especially with the colonization of India remarks. I know what it's like to live in a once colonized country, a British colony at that, and it's still crazy to think that India was only became a republic less than 60 years ago. Indians, like Africans were used as slaves, some indentured, some not I assume. Where I'm from, hundreds of Indians were sent to replace the emancipated African slaves for a total of 5 years. Today, the population is 50% Indian, the majority of my father's ethnic background is Indian. Anyway, I digress. It's easy to see that the 'West', at least "subconsciously", still wants a hold over foreign countries to gain revenue. Notice how Gemma is placed between the two Indian women? She looks starkly different to them so that's the focal point of the front cover. It's a bit disturbing to me. I still can't figure out why why why she's there. I mean I get why but, if you put more thought into it, it's just to say the least...interesting.

I hope that comment made SOME sense.

I agree with you all, why is Gemma on the cover? It bothers me here when i see all these blonde women in magazines and adds when EVERY JAPANESE WOMAN DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THAT. It proves just how far the "beauty ideal" reaches.

I am not knocking beautiful blonde women or Gemma, just pointing out something is wrong.

And those women ARE BEAUTIFUL!! Oh my God! WOW I am blown away! I want that issue!!!

hawt couture!

"I don't really understand the big deal about having Gemma on this cover. We wouldn't be upset if one of these Indian models was on the cover of American Vogue. " - Bhilb

Has there ever been an Indian on the cover of American Vogue? And if so I'm guessing probably at the most once or twice. I'm pretty sure that would not have been too popluar if it were the inagaural issue of American Vogue.

It's their first issue! Pollute with stick thin blondes later at the very least.

Besides next to those women it doesn't seem fair to poor Gemma.

I totally agree about Gemma on the cover, to me it seem a bit racist, like those beautiful Indian women arent enough by themselves, and only after the blond western ideal is added to the mix is the cover acceptable.

I love Gemma Ward, but i do agree with her being on the cover though. Her picture there is kinda random.

Gemma looks so out of place on the cover that it makes me feel uncomfortable. I think it's a big deal because this is Vogue India. Reading between the lines bhilb, I'm hearing that you don't consider non-white people who live and/or were born in America as "American". Of course it wouldn't be a big deal if an Indian woman were on the cover of American Vogue because hello...she would be an American. Not to say that a non-ethnic Indian would not be considered Indian if they took that nationality through marriage, birth or changing citizenship, but this magazine is called Vogue India and is being marketed to the country as a whole, which is made up of people native to the country. People of color already have a hard enough time dealing with the Western/white standards of beauty, but for a magazine launching in a non-Western country with a blonde placed in the middle of the cover is a slap in the face.

Just another way for the Western world to throttle Indian culture and ways of life, emphasized by putting a white girl on the cover blech

Well said softrockstar!

Those girls are gorgeous! so beautiful...but i agree Gemma shouldnt be dead centre...it seems like th two asian woman are sidelined and the focus comes onto Gemma

OK...so I'm Indian and the first thing I thought was Indian Vogue? 'Bout dam time! Then I saw the blonde and I was like "Huh?" but I thought I was maybe being overly-sensitive because I am Indian by blood. I'm glad that it wasn't just me thinking that tho! I have to figure out how to subscribe to this!

I am so glad most people feel that this is wrong. Though I am not Indian, I know firsthand how colonialism can impact a culture's beauty ideals. I am of afro-latino descent and there are some HUGE tensions between afro-latinos (predominately african with indigenous native american and spaniard mix) and latinos (more indigenous native american and spaniard mix). My indian friends in college told me how in their culture they also experience skin color tensions (which I did not know and is most likely perpetuated by colonialist influences). SO my point is...no need to put a pale blond white girl on the cover. Especially in the middle of two beautiful brown women. It's sooo insulting especially when Indian women are known to be sooo amazingly beautiful. Beautiful brown skin, shiny black thick hair, and big brown eyes. Who can do better than that?

Why is Gemma on the front? The Indians on that cover are a thousand times prettier to me. So gorgeous. I'd love to get a copy of that.

I can't wait to get hold of India's Vogue. When I travel in India I am always mesmerized by the beauty in every location. There really is nothing like the Indian culture and I am glad there is finally a Vogue (the fashion magazine) to represent that. The cover is amazing I love east meets west vibe from the cover, flawless photography. I can't wait to return this summer.

Yay!!! Something for us Indians!!!!

It almost seems like they put Gemma in there to stand out.
Even if that wasn't their intention she does stand out, how could she not she's blond and fair skinned. I have nothing against her but this is the first issue of a INDIAN magazine, it should be celebrating INDIAN beauty, why couldn't they put gemma on some later issue, why the first one with all the gorgeous indian women and right smack in the middle too, so she's the first thing you see.
Vogue is stupid.

Jadorechaussures: I'm with you on that, I'm afro latino too, although I find most people don't seem to have a problem or anything, although sometimes its quite irritating to explain to non latinamericans hat hispanic is not a race. Its also kind of irritating to being called black all the time people don't mean it as offensive, rather as sort of cute pet name, but after a while it bothers me that they ONLY call me that.

nikecold: The other day you said you were black so, really it's not all that offensive if you refer to yourself the same way, now is it?

Look, I understand if you want to recognized for your TRUE ethnic background but sometimes people just can't/won't see it that way. That's why I just say I'm black. My true ethnic makeup is African/East Indian, it's the truth but most wouldn't see it. Some have though and have asked me but usually I jsut say I'm black, big deal. It's...NO...BIG...DEAL, not to me anyhow.

Wow...I sense some serious amounts of what I can only perceive as bitterness. The fact is that Gemma is one of the hottest models in the world today. And she is shown with some of India's most beautiful women. What a celebration of international beauty. Nothing more...nothing less. The world of Vogue (Western in nature, naturally) meets India. Let's see what these two worlds can create together. I have high hopes for Indian Vogue.

You all are so caught up on race that you've completely missed the point.
Lighten up, girls! Holy cow!

(PS: In all honestly, I'd be honored that Gemma agreed to sit for the cover!)

See, that's your POLITICALLY CORRECT, SIMPLIFIED answer. Some of us around here are thinking OUTSIDE the box. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

Hot cover, but the difference is stark; go editors for getting some of the bollywood queens in it but where's aish? i was a little confused by the scandinavian looking girl on the cover at first but thinking about it ... the mag is a fashion piece, Indian women aren't limited to admiring stars from their own country in terms of fashion but like everyone else in the world can appreciate the beauty & fabulousness of others

With all due respect, as a fashion industry insider, I can assure you that not only are you NOT thinking outside the box, but in fact it seems you haven't a clue where the box is.

Furthermore, if you are unable to appreciate that the world's most sought-after photographer, top models and actresses (of varying ethnicities--YIKES!--I know you're not a fan of diversity here!), most talented hair and makeup artists, as well as celebrated fashion editor collaborated on this launch issue to create an amazing image to celebrate India's inception into the Vogue family, then I have nothing more to say to someone so tragically unable to appreciate fashion photography.

On that note, signing off to you all...
Keep complaining about beautiful imagery if you have nothing better to do. I, personally, have a weekend to enjoy.

Ciao!

thank you marielinha & awkuma...people def. need to lighten up.

Indielove: You misunderstood me, I am proud of being black and I see nothing wring with, if not I wouldn´t have said I was black the other day. What I meant is that in my community there are not many black people, which I don't mind because latinamericans I feel don't bother as much about race as they do about culture.
The problem with that is that most people here aren't black, and either don't recognize yu as black, or make the fact that you are black a point in every conversation. I obviously don't mind being called black its what I am, it just gets annoying when all people can call you is "la negrita" (black girl). Its not that I'm not proud of my race, its that I find it dumb for people to identify me just because of it (not to mention say very offensive things in light conversation), in a community that regardless of race has the same culture.
It bothers me just as much when all people can say about asian latinamericans is the "chinese guy" because there is no difference between chinese and japanese, not to mention when they relate it to something stereotypical like thinking the "chinese guy" must eat rice and chow mein, and boil cats and dogs in his spare time.

No, I am not a fan of diversity. That's really funny because of my wide spectrum of friends and family, I couldn't possibly be tolerant who who they are, could I? You know know nothing about my life, if you did, what you said would be laughable. In fact, it IS laughable. I don't have to prove myself to the likes of you, you're nothing to me. You're just a name on a page floating around the internet. One thing I don't think you understand is how protective some people are about their culture, how much they want to preserve it. You don't seem to understand that Indians are that way, the ones I've come across are. You just can't see the other side to this, your head is just filled up with pretty little pictures of pretty little models and it's muddying up your brain.

nikecold: Honestly, I wasn't attacking you, I just want you to know that. I was just pointing out what you said before and was hoping you'd clarify and you have done so. I understand where you're coming from perfectly now. I totally respect what you're saying.

I don't judge people on their race, but as people. I'm sick of people always trying to separate themselves, like you said before about being of the same culture but making racially offensive comments to others who don't look the same as they do.