The most controversial editorials

[KateIsGr8]

^Well if you would FULLY read my statement, it says "It's fashion, they have to have some way to catch your eye." Meaning, obviously they realize people will look at it and be shocked, therefore get attention for the magazine, but I don't PERSONALLY feel like they intend to offend. Again, this is my PERSONAL OPINION and no matter what anyone says, my opinion will not change. So, basically, there is no need to argue with me about it because you won't win. I'm not going to argue with you because you feel the opposite way, I simply stated my opinion. Thank you

 

[MulletProof]

Sorry, I can't bother to FULLY read any more of your statements, I was replying to the chanelcouture guy.

 

[KateIsGr8]

Well my post was the one right before yours, so, sorry for the confusion.

 

[YoninahAliza]

MulletProof said it perfectly! These fashion editors know what they are doing, they understand that scandels sell which is why they try to get a rise out of people. It would be stupid to think that magazines actually care about not offending anyone. They target certain groups which they know will respond well to their image/viewpoints. I especially apricated the bit about these people who don't question what they are told in reference to certain religious followers... it was exactly what I was thinking!

 

[t-rex]

^Well if you would FULLY read my statement, it says "It's fashion, they have to have some way to catch your eye." Meaning, obviously they realize people will look at it and be shocked, therefore get attention for the magazine, but I don't PERSONALLY feel like they intend to offend. Again, this is my PERSONAL OPINION and no matter what anyone says, my opinion will not change. So, basically, there is no need to argue with me about it because you won't win. I'm not going to argue with you because you feel the opposite way, I simply stated my opinion. Thank you

I don't care if it's an opinion or not. It's dense and ignorant. Instead of running from an argument with "it's my opinion, therefore it can't be questioned!" step out of your privileged bubble and think about it. It won't be quick or easy but you'll be a smarter and better person if you do. Thank you.

 

[Thanatos]

I think people are just extra sensitive when it comes to black stereotypes in particular.

Natasha Poly as a materialistic gold digger in Vogue Paris doesn't exactly portray young women in a good light, any Steven Klein editorial with male models in bondage gear straddling each other isn't a positive representation of gay men, and the pic in this thread of Anja as a rich white woman white the black maid is more of a jab at women like that that the maid imo. I think these are all more negative portrayals of groups of people that those in the 'Lets get Lost' editorial, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Deleted member 116957]

I think people also need to remember that fashion doesn't exist in a vacuum and it exists in a society where racism is present. Fashion is not some magical arena where there is no racism, or other types of societal conflict that exist in society, and everything is harmonious. You can't just look at an editorial and completely remove it from the context in which it was produced.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I love the spokesperson's attempt to make it sound better - it's not about racism, it's merely a visual harem for men.

What the hell does Karl Lagerfeld know about men's fantasies about women?

 

[fashionista-ta]

In my opinion, racism will always be a "factor" in fashion. Why? Who knows?! But, in the Let's Get Lost editorial and in the Claudia pics, I don't see why in the world anyone would be offended by that. It's fashion, they have to have some way to catch your eye. I get sick of the constant bitching from fashion insiders and admirers always saying how fashion is racist- it's not! I feel like the controversial photographers and stylists (Steven Klein, Terry Richardson, Carine Roitfeld...) don't intend to offend anyone and people read too much into it. Nothing will ever be perfect for anyone. If there were all black models, everyone would complain about there not being white models, same for other ethnicities. I honestly don't see a lack of, and I don't mean that by opinion because I love, black models. I think people try to make it seem like black models can't break into the modeling as easy as white models, which is so untrue. It's a hard industry to get into and fit into.

I notice that your post is internally inconsistent. First you say that racism will always be a factor in fashion ... then you say that fashion isn't racist. Which is it?

I'd like to say that I do not believe racism will always be a factor in fashion ... I think racism is approaching its sell-by date, and that we are learning that we are all one human race. Of course, fashion as we know it today may change significantly too ... perhaps people who aren't racists will be far more interested in expressing themselves than in wearing what's been decreed 'of the moment.' Perhaps fashion designers--many of whom don't care for the fashion cycle--will find a way to change what they don't like about the business. And why not? Look at Alaia and tell me it's not possible ...

 

[t-rex]

I think people are just extra sensitive when it comes to black stereotypes in particular.

Natasha Poly as a materialistic gold digger in Vogue Paris doesn't exactly portray young women in a good light, any Steven Klein editorial with male models in bondage gear straddling each other isn't a positive representation of gay men, and the pic in this thread of Anja as a rich white woman white the black maid is more of a jab at women like that that the maid imo. I think these are all more negative portrayals of groups of people that those in the 'Lets get Lost' editorial, but that's just my opinion.

Not all stereotypes are equal and have the same repercussions... There aren't many people who think all young women are gold diggers. However, ***EDIT*** who think the Interview editorial (for example) is a glammed up representation of black people. It's so different and it's worrying that people can't see that.

 

[MulletProof]

Natasha Poly as a materialistic gold digger in Vogue Paris doesn't exactly portray young women in a good light, any Steven Klein editorial with male models in bondage gear straddling each other isn't a positive representation of gay men, and the pic in this thread of Anja as a rich white woman white the black maid is more of a jab at women like that that the maid imo. I think these are all more negative portrayals of groups of people that those in the 'Lets get Lost' editorial, but that's just my opinion.

I can only speak for myself here but one of the reasons I'm not big on VP is for the way they often portray women. Why am I not ranting about it? because it doesn't really affect me, does it bother me that they prefer showing women as hedonistic, oversexualised creatures only instead of free individuals that enjoy style and sex just like the next reader? yes, but will that promotion affect the way people see me on the street? not really, men don't hide their wallets when I sit next to them on the subway just because there comes a woman that may or may not be a gold-digger and who prefers stealing a man's fortune instead of working hard to get her own money.
That might've happened in another time, but not now, reason why it doesn't really boil my head to see such a silly cliché typical of VP.
That, however, still happens when it comes to races, I have seen people moving away from others or slowly covering their kids just because x person is a certain race and could potentially be a good-for-nothing thief.. there are people ACCUSED of being r*pist or thieves just because they are a different race from the accusers.. this happens every day.

That's why people are more vocal about some issues than others.. they're all unnecessary and 'bad press' but not all of them carry such a hard history of hate, death and false assumptions and indirectly contribute to reaffirm the stereotypes that caused all of it and maintain countries divided with different opportunities for different colors of skin.

 

[Chanelcouture09]

Mulletproof i wasn't implying fashion isn't serious, its very serious, its peoples lively hoods, but when people accuse magazines and designers of racism thats a step too far, but i do agree with your point that its about revoking people's reactions and for the shock value
of course i've read peoples comment's about "Let's get Lost' and if I'm honest its just spiraled into something its not
and i was merely voicing my opinion, like everyone else

 

[tigerrouge]

I love all the excuses magazines make - that black people on the cover "don't sell" - which is a bit like saying that it's the readers' fault. So magazines have these not-inconsiderable powers to frame people, lifestyles and products as insanely desirable, yet somehow, they fail to be able to do this with black people. Well, I'll be darned.

Or I remember another instance, of a Vogue editor stating that black people made up so small a percentage of the country’s population, that there was no point reflecting them in the magazine’s content. Yet supermodels, Oscar-winning actresses, and millionaires are hardly commonplace, but there they are, everywhere. Because they're seen as representing something desirable. It's a feedback loop, an self-reinforcing set of images and values that constantly exclude "undesirables". Some might say that's the very essence of fashion, but it doesn't mean there isn't any space to make some sort of progress. Much as I love the escapist spectacle of fashion, a person's life is more important than a pair of shoes, and I'd rather make a difference in terms of the first, then be remembered for what I did with the second.

 

[fashionista-ta]

Mulletproof i wasn't implying fashion isn't serious, its very serious, its peoples lively hoods, but when people accuse magazines and designers of racism thats a step too far, but i do agree with your point that its about revoking people's reactions and for the shock value
of course i've read peoples comment's about "Let's get Lost' and if I'm honest its just spiraled into something its not
and i was merely voicing my opinion, like everyone else

Where exactly is it certified that all magazines and all designers are not racist? Or if they are, that they mustn't be called out?

 

[fashionista-ta]

I love all the excuses magazines make - that black people on the cover "don't sell" - which is a bit like saying that it's the readers' fault. So magazines have these not-inconsiderable powers to frame people, lifestyles and products as insanely desirable, yet somehow, they fail to be able to do this with black people. Well, I'll be darned.

Or I remember another instance, of a Vogue editor stating that black people made up so small a percentage of the country’s population, that there was no point reflecting them in the magazine’s content. Yet supermodels, Oscar-winning actresses, and millionaires are hardly commonplace, but there they are, everywhere. Because they're seen as representing something desirable. It's a feedback loop, an self-reinforcing set of images and values that constantly exclude "undesirables". Some might say that's the very essence of fashion, but it doesn't mean there isn't any space to make some sort of progress. Much as I love the escapist spectacle of fashion, a person's life is more important than a pair of shoes, and I'd rather make a difference in terms of the first, then be remembered for what I did with the second.

Excellent point ...

 

[cologne_rocks]

Where exactly is it certified that all magazines and all designers are not racist? Or if they are, that they mustn't be called out?

Totally agree with you - structural segregation concepts do not only exist in terms of ghettoisation of metropolis. Does anyone remember the time when Vogue Italia didn't feature a Non-Caucasian model for months and then published as a sort of redress this Vogue Italia ONLY Black Issue featuring Afro-American models that Meisel worked with only for this issue and dropped for good, afterwards? That is segregation of ethic groups. To merely keep the dark-skinned far away from the fair skinned diamonds. Why was FW10 the first time in the history of Jil Sander that black girls were allowed put a feed on their RTW runway show? (Of all black models who went to the casting of course just the 2 most successful newcomers got the booking - Rose and Joan ). I don't blame the casting directors since they have to make sure to stick to the requirements given by designers but the European market is a hard place for Afro-American girls.... I don't believe that black girls are being treated humiliating in fashion but distinction in fashion seems ordinary and is a form of ethical segregation which is racism.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I think a lot of people viewed that all-black issue as something positive ... because one of the frequent refrains is that really, there are so few black models, or so few good ones. So it made a statement that they were able to do an entire high-quality issue with only black models ...

I don't believe the intent of the issue was segregation.

 

[Spike413]

I'm almost nervous to weigh in because it is such a touchy subject, and somehow I always feel it's something I'm not necessarily equipped to tackle, but one thing I find myself questioning is why it's more offensive or causes more controversy when, for instance, a white model is made up to look black as opposed to a white model being made up to look East Asian. Like I said before, I can't believe that the article discussing the Claudia cover made no mention of the fact that Claudia was also made up to look like some Shanghai Lil stereotype in another shot, with the bobbed hair, Cheongsam and winged eye makeup. It's not as if Asian people haven't been subjected to oppression at the hands of white people, lord knows there are plenty of stereotypes about them, and for decades Hollywood employed white actors in makeup to play Asian characters (just look at Mickey Rooney's character in Breakfast at Tiffany's and tell me that it's not just as offensive as blackface). But there doesn't seem to be the same kind of backlash, and that cover certainly isn't the first time I've seen makeup used to give a white model a stylized Asian appearance.

Part of me wonders if something like that Daria story would have been received differently if it was a white model among a different ethnic group, if the perception of it would have been something other than "racist".

 

[KateIsGr8]

Well, let me ask everyone this, how is an All-Black Issue not racist against white models? It definitely is, even if it was just to make a statement... Literally, that issue was racist.

 

[Phuel]

I'm almost nervous to weigh in because it is such a touchy subject, and somehow I always feel it's something I'm not necessarily equipped to tackle, but one thing I find myself questioning is why it's more offensive or causes more controversy when, for instance, a white model is made up to look black as opposed to a white model being made up to look East Asian. Like I said before, I can't believe that the article discussing the Claudia cover made no mention of the fact that Claudia was also made up to look like some Shanghai Lil stereotype in another shot, with the bobbed hair, Cheongsam and winged eye makeup. It's not as if Asian people haven't been subjected to oppression at the hands of white people, lord knows there are plenty of stereotypes about them, and for decades Hollywood employed white actors in makeup to play Asian characters (just look at Mickey Rooney's character in Breakfast at Tiffany's and tell me that it's not just as offensive as blackface). But there doesn't seem to be the same kind of backlash, and that cover certainly isn't the first time I've seen makeup used to give a white model a stylized Asian appearance.

Part of me wonders if something like that Daria story would have been received differently if it was a white model among a different ethnic group, if the perception of it would have been something other than "racist".

An excellent observation.

I think it's a particularly sensitive subject when blacks are shown in what some might consider to be a less than positive light because of the extreme subjugation of blacks as slaves in history. Asians and Hispanics were treated equally in a subjugating manner, but were never given the "slave" label, so I believe that may explain the tolerance these two latter groups may have for negative stereotypes.

I welcome provocation and controversy in fashion, art and music. I love the "Let's Get Lost" editorial: It's beautiful and unbelievably sexy and manages to elicit such a strong social and political reaction from readers. I can also understand the anger some may have (I don't agree with it). That's the great outcome of an editorial like this one-- it provokes discussion. (Although I am surprised at the conclusion some posters have come to about those of us that enjoy this editorial: That we must be racist and most likely have a problem with Black History Month, or the Obama being president, or some must be ignorant or "airheads"...).