L'Uomo Vogue's Africa issue
One might assume, given the competitive nature of magazine publishing, that the decision of L’Uomo Vogue to devote an entire issue to Africa was a canny marketing ruse. Riding, perhaps, on the provocative wave of its sister title, Vogue Italia, which earlier this year published its “black” issue featuring only black models. “Not so,” says Franca Sozzani, the editor-in-chief of both publications, whose commentary on some of the images appears below. “I actually started thinking about this way before the black issue when I began speaking to the philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy about his work in Darfur.”
The result is a reportage-style tribute to the continent as seen through the eyes of international writers, humanitarians and actors involved in cultural and social programmes that benefit Africa. “We read so much about Africa and its many interesting projects but there don’t appear to be many official channels. Everyone knows what George Clooney gets up to because he is media friendly but no one realises that a company like Luxottica has given away millions of pairs so people can read.
She is prepared for the criticism that she is using Africa to make a fashion statement. “That’s why I decided to give 50 per cent of the advertising revenue to various African aid organisations. We will not be making a profit from this.” Given the economic climate, that’s a pretty substantial gesture. The issue goes on sale on November 1.
- Franca Sozzani on Nelson Mandela, photographed by Anton Corbjin “How could I not include Mandela in this issue. He is an icon of Africa, the father of Africa and the best person to wave the flag. We had him shot in this traditional outfit and I think this picture is a peaceful, positive image.”
- On Forrest Whittaker, photographed by Francesco Carrozzini “He is a person who has such a universal appeal, a Hollywood actor of the highest quality but also very involved in Africa via charities such as Hope North, something that isn’t as well-documented.”
- On Bernard-Henri Lévy, photographed by Don Miller “It was while talking to him that the whole issue came about. And he has collaborated enormously on the editorial of this issue. I was very interested in his perspective as a philosopher and his past work in Darfur.”
