Vogue Italia July 2008 : Liya, Sessilee, Jourdan & Naomi by Steven Meisel

[carmen_kass]

The fact is we're never happy, I don't see this as anyone being racist or purposefully hurtful, it's just another in a long line of examples where Meisel has a good idea but executes it poorly, the "Make Love not War" editorial debacle comes to mind.

The plus point is that the editor has mentioned that beautiful women should be shown wearing/modelling beautiful clothes, in that case mission accomplished, they all look great.

I think they should have been more subtle, Meisel mentioned that the idea started with one or two stories but turned into an entire issue, maybe they should have stuck to that idea and appoached the issue more gradually, not slowly, because that would only prolong the media hype, maybe like giving Liya this July cover and Jourdan the September cover. At least then we wouldn't be screaming affirmative action like we were when Chanel Iman was featured on the May 2007 US Vogue cover, that to on the fold out. Using Jennifer Hudson and Lebron James was also a disaster. Liya was a safe choice because she's produced beautiful covers in the past.

I don't think this is offensive but it can see that if you're more jaded you will see it that way, I think the only saving grace for this issue will be that the inside will produce legendary editorial images, and it does look promising at the moment.

Lets not forget that Black models aren't the only ones stuggling in the industry, Asian and Indian models need editorials and campaigns too. I don't see the point of having an editorial called "An Indian Summer" and using Gemma as the model for it, even Indian Vogue uses Sasha Pivovarova to model Saris, no doubt she's a talented model but it's a bit ridiculous, when India has a thriving Modelling/Fashion community.

I say this is a step in the right direction so long as Meisel and Fanciso follow through and keep using ethnic diversity in their Magazines. I think the designers need to be confident in their clothes rather than their model, Naomi can sell a YSL garment as well as Gisele, so I see that as a case of a Designer's and Marketer's insecurity. Also I don't think the whole one world ideal is BS as one member posted (which I find offensive), the only thing that separates a black girl from a white girl is the concentration of melanin in her skin, if the industry can't get past that they don't deserve to be selling clothes in 2008.

[Northern Star]

Kinda thought this type of discussion would take place.
Gotta say Mr Dale made some valid points on the previous page and whether VI have dubious intentions with this issue is debateable but at least it's a step in the right direction IMO and at the same time giving massive exposure to some new girls (whether black or white or whatever) who maybe wouldn't have got it elsewhere.
I believe Meisel really wants to change some things in fashion and this is a healthy start.

[Marcel]

This issue should be seen as the beginning of more equality. If magazines or Vogue Italia is going to use more black models in the future (and it's not like they ever avoided this) then why not? Don't already be so negative and say this won't help at all.

[EvanJ2010]

Can we not fight about this whole less black model thing and embrace the beauty of these pics. This shows that beauty comes in all colors, shapes sizes. I'm very excited for this magazine!

[Urban Stylin]

good tings aguan! though am very dissapointed that Ajuma is not in this issue she sone of the current successful black models

[retailqueen]

Yes it sucks that black models are actually getting some work

They arent the only ones being discriminated against.

Meanwhile we should critisise those who are actually attempting to improve the situation while we do nothing but sit back and moan and moan.

[Salvatore]

Very beautiful! I love it!!!

[Spike413]

I think a lot of people are completely missing the point. We've seen plenty of one at a time, anonymous editorials starring a non-white model, we've seen editorials with a mixture of races, we've seen the occasional cover with Naomi, Liya or Alek on it....but obviously trying to just integrate black models in hasn't changed anything. So if gently trying to mend a problem doesn't get results, why not make a powerful statement?

I applaud Meisel and Sozzani for being ballsy enough to use their influence to keep the focus on a very serious problem within the industry. How anyone could see something negative in them putting this issue out in order to make a very deliberate point, I just can't understand.

[Mchunu]

...everything that glitters ain't gold....

[MissMagAddict]

I agree this is a beautiful issue of Vogue Italia...but the fact remains that there's only one colour that matters in fashion & that's green $$$.

IMO we need to move away from from looking at diversity purely in the sense of skin colour...we also need to think in terms of diversity of age & even personality. Personality has been a dirty word in the modeling business for some time now...because the idea was to get away from the whole supermodel era & create a bunch of blank canvases for designers...stylist & photographers to show their work on. When I buy a magazine or look at an editorial...I don't give a damn what the model's skin colour is...as long as she exudes some personality & has the ability to inspire & make me dream.

[betty_s]

Originally Posted by Lackuiew

Sesilee is surprisingly beautiful in every shot so far , I never know her before i saw this issue . Jourdan is super awesome . And I'm laughing up my sleeve that i don't see Chanel on the cover , IMO she's kinda plain !!!! Naomi on the cover is a bit old , but ed - the Prada outfit-is amazing .

Sessilee is amazing, we couldn't be happier, she's truly a nice girl... I met her for model of the week 4 years ago.. check out how different she looks... so much stronger with the short hair now..
http://models.com/model_culture/mode...lee/index.html

We also previewed her most recently in our Feed section, gorgeous shots by Fabio Chizzola. http://models.com/feed/?p=326

and "of the minute" a bunch of times before,
http://models.com/oftheminute/?p=445 (first time with short hair)
http://models.com/oftheminute/?p=498
http://models.com/oftheminute/?p=772

Betty
models.com

[Thefrenchy]

So that's it ??? I had higher expectations ...

[Sugarmama]

Sessilee looks amazing! She looks great in every photo I've seen. I'm a little dissapointed with the other covers.

[Royal-Galliano]

Originally Posted by KissMiss

To be honest... I love all these pix but I am not really fond of things like Black Issue or something... i think it makes Black models more segregated from white ones, which the whole discrimination issue, though I give credit to Vogue Italia for affirmative actions towards black models who usually are more excluded... I am surely getting this issue...

WORD! it's rather awkward but smart at once since its gonna be a bestseller for sure, you know, it's quite sad, even the word apartheid comes on my mind. i love naomi's cover, hope to get that one. the others are quite dull to me... and i'd really like to see alek on cover and more ajuma for sure... they're so underrated...

now everybody's gonna **** their pants.

[davercampbell]

1st off I just want to say that all the girls that were choosen to be on the cover look amazing and second i Think sessilee Lopez cover looks even more amazing she's stepping up to the plate and she's proving her self more and more So who ever has a prob with her gettin the cover and not chanel need to think about why steven choose her and liya and naomi and jourdun over chanel. anyway congrads again and sessilee u ate that!