The most controversial editorials

[Petit Lucille]

i think that member Petit Lucille was pointing out that money plays bigger role than artistic values, with makes this generic repetitive images.

but the price is actually bigger now simply cos we all remember eds from the previous decades, we know the models, who shoot them, they have iconic statuses. now the first thing that crossed my mind were lara stone's boobs (i like lara, nothing against lara)

Yes, this was my point, thank you. Also, if there's a controversy, there is fuzz and that equals publicity, plus there are a lot of editorials that became famous just for the controversy they arrose. This way, some people may want to buy the magazine and keep the infamous editorial X.

 

[aynoray]

The Cadeaux editorial is the one that struck me the most. So disgusting. It took me a while to get over it. Sick .
Why>????just why??? why use 5 year old girls, sex them up? I don't understand the motif or point. It made me feel bad for these girls, why are they even in the industry at that age i don't know. And why it was even promoted with them wearing 5" heels, sitting like adults i don't know. Dont get me wrong, these little girls are stunning- but that's exactly the problem. They look overly sexed up and aged, giving the wrong idea imo.Especially coming from Vogue Paris i was shocked.

 

[annelein]

Vogue Paris April 2010
Ph.: Terry Richardson
Eniko Mihalik
*please don't quote pictures*

Love these! Both models are props here but he is a totally passive prop (except for kissing photo) whereas she is a rather agressive acting prop. The whole set is of course a play on interracial p*rn, where the theme black men on little blond girl plays a lot more popular with a wide consumer base than the opposite setting. The p*rn link is the main source for controversy seeking, not the skin colours or the "sex" per se. Well played, would actuallly love to have these pictures somewhere.

 

[clocked]

Love these! Both models are props here but he is a totally passive prop (except for kissing photo) whereas she is a rather agressive acting prop. The whole set is of course a play on interracial p*rn, where the theme black men on little blond girl plays a lot more popular with a wide consumer base than the opposite setting. The p*rn link is the main source for controversy seeking, not the skin colours or the "sex" per se. Well played, would actuallly love to have these pictures somewhere.

I never thought this was particularly controversial, but i do remember loving this ed so, so much...even though i can't stand terry or eniko

 

[annelein]

I never thought this was particularly controversial, but i do remember loving this ed so, so much...even though i can't stand terry or eniko

Yes, I should maybe add that I usually have very little appreciation for Richardson. Leery and limited.

 

[YoninahAliza]

Ugh... I don't normally like Richardson, however I will give him credit for this one, those sure are some striking images. Quite beautiful actually.

 

[sl4ught3r]

benetton has a weird tendency of always making their campaigns provoking either christians, homophobic people or racists..

this for example

(source: linda03.files.wordpress.com)
Moderator's note: please make sure to add a source to your images next time, as per tFS Crediting Rules.

 

[ladyflash]

^ I'm fine with them provoking homophobes and racists, not gonna lie.

 

[Jasmine04]

I remember having a professor discuss that Benetton ad a few years ago. She mentioned that even though internationally it was viewed as being an image promoting racial harmony, in America there were those who viewed the ad to be offensive because they interpreted the image as being the stereotypical black maid or wet nurse nursing a white child.

Although I'm sure this image, as well as many others made by Benetton, have offended plenty of racists, in this case it also offended some of those who were on the opposite end of the spectrum. In reality the image is not depicting a black maid, but it does demonstrate how a nation's history with race, people's own personal experiences, opinions, etc. can drastically change how you read an image.

Anyway, I like that Benetton uses controversial images to spread awareness of social issues and that it annoys the homophobes and racists as well. That's always fun.

 

[iluvjeisa]

I remember having a professor discuss that Benetton ad a few years ago. She mentioned that even though internationally it was viewed as being an image promoting racial harmony, in America there were those who viewed the ad to be offensive because they interpreted the image as being the stereotypical black maid or wet nurse nursing a white child.

Although I'm sure this image, as well as many others made by Benetton, have offended plenty of racists, in this case it also offended some of those who were on the opposite end of the spectrum. In reality the image is not depicting a black maid, but it does demonstrate how a nation's history with race, people's own personal experiences, opinions, etc. can drastically change how you read an image.

Anyway, I like that Benetton uses controversial images to spread awareness of social issues and that it annoys the homophobes and racists as well. That's always fun.

Well, if you see ye shall find, I guess? I like the concept, but it does get old after a while, plus their whole execution is very 90s.

 

[softgrey]

I remember having a professor discuss that Benetton ad a few years ago. She mentioned that even though internationally it was viewed as being an image promoting racial harmony, in America there were those who viewed the ad to be offensive because they interpreted the image as being the stereotypical black maid or wet nurse nursing a white child.

Although I'm sure this image, as well as many others made by Benetton, have offended plenty of racists, in this case it also offended some of those who were on the opposite end of the spectrum. In reality the image is not depicting a black maid, but it does demonstrate how a nation's history with race, people's own personal experiences, opinions, etc. can drastically change how you read an image.

Anyway, I like that Benetton uses controversial images to spread awareness of social issues and that it annoys the homophobes and racists as well. That's always fun.

that's funny...i agree...
...

though i don't really think that ad is particularly appealing...
anyone know what year that ad is from...?
i don't remember seeing it at all...
...

 

[Petit Lucille]

Up until someone told me that was controversial, and provoking, I thought them to be really nice and giving a great message across, more of a happy campaing more than anything else...

 

[Jasmine04]

that's funny...i agree...
...

though i don't really think that ad is particularly appealing...
anyone know what year that ad is from...?
i don't remember seeing it at all...
...

I think it was from 1990 or around that time.

 

[Vega Magnus]

I don't think it's even possible to do anything "controversial" anymore. We've seen pretty much everything already.

 

[Melisande]

I don't think it's even possible to do anything "controversial" anymore. We've seen pretty much everything already.

Oh I can think of lots of things...they just wouldn't be allowed to be printed.

But anyway, it's interesting that the Benetton ad was seen differently in Europe and the US. Seeing the image today, it annoys me a little because by saying "oooh, look how controversial we're being" through such an image of what I'd hope would be absolute, nonrepudiable normalcy, the creators in fact come across as offensive and uppity and backward and closet racists. BUT it is from the nineties so there is a big difference.

Kind of like Serge Gainsbourg trying to be all decadent and "bad" and provocative simply by singing about sex in a husky voice, when it's like, uh, puh-lease, it's just sex, it's normal and healthy, get a life.

 

[Vega Magnus]

Oh I can think of lots of things...they just wouldn't be allowed to be printed.

I can think of lots of things too, but would we be "shocked" by any of it? I think not. We're too desensitized.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Petit Lucille]

I agree with Melisande. Even the shocking images are under carefull management. Specially since you see in youtube so many censored advertisements that are not at all questionable, if they make the print is because it is meant to be provocking, but in a socially accepted way.. Real controversial stuff is just avoided.

 

[zacatecas570]

Vogue Italia August 2011 Ed: "Day and Night" the same as W's September 2011: "Transformers"??

Steven Meisel W's controversy
In the last week, W staffers discovered that Meisel shot a nearly identical concept for the August Italian Vogue. Meisel did not inform them of this.

...

To make matters worse, this wasn’t something that could be swept under the carpet: Meisel’s portfolio was Italian Vogue’s cover story. One source said that some W insiders believe Meisel may have financed the Italian Vogue photo on their dime.

...

The fallout will be worth watching. If it damages W’s relationship with Meisel, Tonchi will lose out on a big-name photographer he’s craved for the magazine. If Tonchi doesn’t act, it will demonstrate the lengths a fashion magazine editor will go to appease a photographer who holds considerable influence in the industry.

The W editorials (above), titled Transformers, can be seen here.
Vogue Italia's editorial (below), translated Day & Night, can be seen here.

fashionopious

I think it's very similar or the same, since the first time I saw it. I wonder for which magazine was the original idea.

 

[ediewho]

I think the controversial is now or very well institutionalized so its a "controversial marketing controlled" or it's just not going to be rehearsal... we live in the so call more liberal of the times when all iconic images are a nostalgic looking back of old times or totally under über strict control... and this happens on every cultural expression... it's, in fact, scary. A freedom fallacy. We never get to see the outrageous cause is marketing controlled so nothing's shocking anymore...

 

[russianelf]

Definitely my favourite thread around here! Let's revive it.
Off the bat the two Vogue Italia edits from 2014 come to mind - the one with Saskia and the one with Issa.