Let’s be frank Lola: Is it really diverse/inclusive/relatable when, time and time again, Edward continues to exclude Asian presence from his Vogue? Or, when he does include an Asian, it’s blatantly out of (obligated) tokenism. It’s fine if he wants a Black prominence for his Vogue— just like it’s fine that Emmanuelle has kept her Vogue predominantly White (and she’s never been a hypocrite and blasted some faux-virtue of inclusivity/diversity of her Vogue the way that Edward has). Edward's just not inclusive at all so people should stop saying he is.
Just on visuals alone, the covershot is unique, striking and gorgeous and tells a story (and a fashions story). Adwoa is gorgeous and striking here and she sells the shot and story. I hope the rest of the feature story is as strong. I don’t know if Misan is capable of the brand of talent and creative vision that the best of fashion photographers are. I hope so (and not just another Tyler..). Because representation shouldn’t be what sustains you— even if it’s what gets you through the door.
(You know, it’s funny how the masses may have been more supportive of Black issues, but may remain racist/discriminating towards other POC. I was working remotely with a client from the Southern US, and after the job was done, we had become somewhat friendly. The conversation shifted to the current socio-political state of the US. He said that many people are more open and supportive of Black issues now— but they’re still not accepting and welcoming of Asians. And he didn’t know I was Asian all this time. His admittance isn’t any confirmation of an entire population of people’s hypocrisy— just that his off-the-cuff statement is in line with my own personal observations and experiences of how people’s general attitude. And openly displayed by Edward, sadly.)
I don’t want this diversity issue to be a war within minorities...
That being said, the recent wake of diversity of the whole industry only happen because The Industry, as a whole (Edward included) failed to create voices and opportunities for black people.
Why is there some sort of double standard? Because in this issue, where capitalism is at the center of everything, the Asian community, and it diaspora has managed to find and create voices in it territories and beyond. Their economic power has made them essential in the industry. In the past, it was mainly Japanese people but over years, from Singapore to South-Korea, the Asian community seems to be represented as a whole and in every positions in the industry. It diaspora has also a presence, even if it’s not enough...
So you have people who have felt invisible for a whole decade and who are now demanding to be represented, something that never happened before. Maybe it’s also time for other people of color to be allies and to insert themselves in the discussions...
But at the same time, if we follow the tap for tap logic, I don’t think black people have felt that the Asian fashion community was an ally in this war for diversity and representation...
Emmanuelle has managed to get away with that because in France, everything is not as over-political as it is in the US. And I would add that black people does not care about Vogue because it does not have the same cultural impact here. There’s little representation of people of color in the media anyway and because the concept of race is forbidden, racial statistics are forbidden and it’s difficult to have discussions regarding diversity without them being categorized as victimization.
The only thing I hate about this discussion around diversity, responsability and all the words ending by « ity », even more since the death of George Floyd, is that people do not use it as an opportunity to discuss the same issues they faces in their countries. By not addressing those precise issues, the conversation will remain superficial.
I find it ridiculous for example to ask Vogue HK to be part of the « Hope » thing.
‘I’m actually curious to see how Emmanuelle will handle that (if she does).
