UK Vogue September 2020 : The Faces of Hope

[Handbag Queen]

It's a resounding NO from me, unfortunately. I understand the world is changing and in no way am I discrediting what the people included champion for but Vogue is a fashion magazine, first and foremost and the fashion angle is missing here. Of course, yes, there's bigger fish to fry right now than fashion and the Fall 2020 collections but I'm just... underwhelmed and unmotivated to praise this.

Not to mention the cover resembles something Vogue Australia would do - art direction and fonts included.

I agree with you 110%! I don't think fashion magazines should be in the business of ramming politics down our throats thinking they'll stay relevant. Most of the social activists probably don't read fashion magazines. Enough is enough!! Let's get back to the core values they had prior.

 

[MON]

but there are more important things in the world right now and Edward knows the platform and reach British Vogue has. So ofcourse he will use this for the greater good, but oh well.

You can join the movement without losing who you are. UK Vogue's support of the Black Lives Matter and the general idea of activism is laudable, however, this is no excuse to lose sight of what UK Vogue is - a fashion magazine.

Featuring these activists is no excuse to be mediocre. Vogue Paris sent models clothes to dress up and shoot an editorial, yet UK Vogue can't do the same? We were literally given a September issue that features t-shirt, a blouse, and a sweater. Like seriously?

A Vogue issue is not given immunity from criticism just because it chose to celebrate/highlight a social issue. On Instagram maybe, but most definitely not in this forum.

 

[Miran]

If Adwoa is face of hope, then let me die, this is really bad for September.

 

[MissMagAddict]

The thread title should read...

UK Vogue September 2020 : Marcus Rashford & Adwoa Aboah by Misan Harriman

The photographer deserves to be credited.

 

[MulletProof]

I'm not even going to bother to get into the ~modeling skills~ of the "models" in the one fashion-related cover here and I probably have more questions than an opinion here, and a ton of judgement too but.. even though I've been a little too close to it, sometimes it truly perplexes me the culture of celebrity/exposure in the UK/US and how high it always proves to be in their social pyramid, floating way above any notion of integrity or coherence or supporting the symbols of a certain lifestyle or economic system that sustain some of the things they condemn (someone not from any of these places feel free to come and debunk my theory and tell me how your activists have jumped to the offer of fronting the cover of their local Cosmopolitan, Vogue or Elle ). I have crossed paths with some activists in other countries, and.. while I can imagine them saying yes to a Time cover (unless they really resent imperialism, I guess), I feel like many would immediately find the idea of being on the cover of Vogue as pure self-sabotage (remember Chile's Camila Vallejo? I feel like the international media wanted her so bad to sell message packaged in image but it didn't quite happen and they always had to use random shots of her lol), but yeah.. that doesn't seem to be a conflict at all among US activists, celebrity is always seen as a 'helpful platform' in addition to a personal landmark... which is still so weird to me...

Another thing that makes me mildly confused (really don't care about the business of magazines, but, I guess I wonder on occasion)-: magazines are not exactly flourishing and have been on a steady decline for the past decade, so, is this based on some market research? do more people actually buy fashion magazines when they see more 'attainable' characters on the covers?, if that's the case, I wouldn't blame them for trying honestly lol. On the other hand, I also have the impression that Edward really goes to bed at night happy and excited about being the EIC of UK's biggest fashion magazine and how it's really a once in a lifetime opportunity and his one shot at changing the world, which is great.. until you wake up for real and realise you're not exactly the UN Secretary General or whatnot. Some will say 'you can make a change ANYWHERE!'.. well... I don't know.. I think a key word here that seems to be repressed is r-e-g-u-l-a-t-i-o-n.. fashion peeps will naturally want to see fashion as 'one of the trenches', but it's not.. it really goes nowhere towards regulating anything..

/ramblingover

 

[Lola701]

I’m puzzled...
I think it’s a cultural shock/clash. I’m French and more than that, a black French woman. I love, respect and support the movement going right now even if I kinda look with the side-eye an industry that pretends to discover racism in 2020.

But I guess, it’s part of a journey and it’s better now than never.

I totally get that everything in the US is political and I also get that, Edward feels the responsability to use his magazine to push things forward.

I’m a little bit uncomfortable with the idea of activism while trying at the same time to sell luxury goods. Clearly, fashion is frivolous and I’m really puzzled by « le mélange des genres ».

I think that Vogue, giving it elitist position, what it represents should maybe more subtle with that. It’s activism this month and back to Glamour in 2021. « Activism Now » could have been printed on one of MGC’s T-shirt for Dior.

But at the same time, Vogue is a big name. People will notice more.

Here in France we don’t have such a « mélange des genres ». Assa Traoré had a very controversial cover of M le Monde. Because it’s a lifestyle publication, her message wasn’t diluted.

I get Edward’s cover but I don’t like it and more than that, I don’t like Activism being wrapped in glossy package.

 

[Armani]

I personally have nothing against the idea in itself of fashion publications using their platforms/voices to speak out against social injustice occurring in our world in any way, shape or form. However, the execution from seemingly EVERY fashion publication regarding this year’s events has been so dreadfully poor that there’s really no excusing it. As members have stated above, Franca found the perfect blend of keeping Vogue Italia both a fashion magazine and a source of much-needed change, which, quite obviously, can and will never be re-created. As much as these EICs feel the overwhelming need to speak up rather than turning a blind eye to situations in our current environment, what point does it make if your message isn’t getting across to your primary demographic?

As for the cover itself, I’m so tired of seeing Adwoa everywhere, if I’m being honest... she always makes that same face, and never branches out of it - not that I’m surprised, by any means, as nearly every model these days only has one (two on a good day) facial expression in their shoots. There’s no chemistry between the two, nor anything that’s giving me hope from the looks of it; if anything, I’m feeling very dreary looking at it.

 

[vogue28]

The thread title should read...

UK Vogue September 2020 : Marcus Rashford & Adwoa Aboah by Misan Harriman

The photographer deserves to be credited.

He does, however, the remaining subjects on the fold-out were each photographed by a handful of other photographers (Eddie Hernandez, Philip-Daniel Ducasse, King Texas, Reginald Cunningham and Chrisean Rose).

 

[MulletProof]

I’m puzzled...
I think it’s a cultural shock/clash.

I’m a little bit uncomfortable with the idea of activism while trying at the same time to sell luxury goods. Clearly, fashion is frivolous and I’m really puzzled by « le mélange des genres ».

But at the same time, Vogue is a big name. People will notice more.

Here in France we don’t have such a « mélange des genres ». Assa Traoré had a very controversial cover of M le Monde. Because it’s a lifestyle publication, her message wasn’t diluted.

I get Edward’s cover but I don’t like it and more than that, I don’t like Activism being wrapped in glossy package.

yes girl yes!! we'll never understand, I think... I forgot to add in my post that "maybe" these people just know their audience, they're from these cultures after all and that's how the cookie crumbles, you only truly acquire a voice by... joining the game..?.. I just really don't understand how you activate certain groups, ignite a debate about a particular issue, present your proposal (which is an inevitable stage in all activism).. but.. as a part-time celebrity lol.. surrounded by refugees, violence survivors, persecuted people, politicians, political analysts.. I'd feel like a gigantic bimbo honestly (in addition to be treated as such).. but if that works somewhere, more power I guess...

(sorry to chop your post a bit!, just wanted to agree fully )

 

[tigerrouge]

So Adwoah will appear on the cover of two main glossies on UK newsstands?

I kinda like the idea that Adwoa is on the cover of both UK Elle and Vogue for the month, it reminds me of the days when someone like Nadja Auermann would book three big September covers in the same year... it's a moment.

 

[VogueGirl8910]

Horrerous & boring covers, this is not Vogue but aproppiate for Newsweek or Time.

 

[MissMagAddict]

 

[vavavinny]

Like many of you, I'm disappointed with the lack of fashion. This concept would've looked a lot better with Imaan Hammam shot in color, channeling the Black Panthers in a black turtleneck and leather, maybe with some gold jewelry, emanating beauty, strength and power. These two just look bored.

 

[Benn98]

I wonder where the cut-off point is, on the map in Vogue's office, where people in the rest of the UK cease to exist.

They're too busy window-dressing, keeping an eye on the world instead of on their own back yard. It's the reason why the main cover seems more of a reference to the American BPP instead of British BPP. He just couldn't resist pandering to American culture in a bid to rake up the likes and shares.
I swear, Vogue will wake up one day to find that orange turned green in NI and won't be able to pinpoint when exactly that started happening.

 

[caioherrero]

That’s why elle release her cover so early.

 

[TomFordforGucci]

Shame there are so many predictable and negative reactions in here though..

It’s basically the “b*tch eating crackers” meme in any Enninful thread on this platform.

Loving the main cover, especially its reference. Can’t wait to buy it.

 

[Les_Sucettes]

I’m repelled by activism as a commodity. So I’ll pass. The image in itself it’s not bad but in the context we are living in, for me, it becomes insufferable. Also, it’s risible that Edward chose one of his luvvies to feature on cover next to Marcus, if there was a way to defeat the purpose even more he certainly found it.

 

[bluestar]

I feel bad for not really liking these covers because I do support and applaud many of the individuals featured but WOW this is not fashion. I want to dream and escape from reality when I read Vogue and this, while educational, is just not what I want from this magazine. Also this makes me miss Franca so much...

 

[Kiyoko]

I am or was a magazine junkie & I try to support print media but it is just so unappealing. Nothing on this cover invites me in - no lipstick; skin care; accessory or clothing - nothing
The dream is boring me to tears. The last few covers are great articles & photo essays but there is no commercialism in them. Someone needs to tell EE that it is about selling products. It’s a shame that Vogue UK is falling into the abyss of political identity causes

 

[khyrk]

Adwoah, Joan, Faces of Hope???