US Vogue April 2019 : 'A Celebration of Global Talent' by Mikael Jansson

[Morgane07]

"Disingenuous" is the perfect word to describe it. I had the same feeling with the editorial featuring Kendall and Imaan last month. Which is why I don't think it's tone deaf; it's deliberate in my opinion; she might just make sure her white readers - probably her core readers - will feel good about what they see. Would they like - even subconsciously - seeing actresses of colour upstage white actresses? And at the same time, ironically, we're expected to praise Anna for embracing diversity.

 

[HeatherAnne]

This is so incredibly cheesy... do they think they are poignant with the "a celebration of global talent".

Just be diverse, don't make it a statement, it's 2019, this shouldn't be a 'thing' anymore.

 

[Deleted member 45369]

^that's what sealed it for me, the two covers done the same way. Both 'diverse' covers needed to have the non-white women hanging on like accessories? The white women are massively imposing too. A lot of people get frustrated like 'oh, Vogue can't win! They have diverse cover stars and still everyone complains.' But when the message is as mixed as this, it's clear that it's a disingenuous, tone deaf effort that wasn't run past anyone but the same individuals who haven't cared about diversity for the decades they've already been in power.

Was it disingenuous when they put Serena on the cover solo? Or Lupita? Or Beyoncé, Michele, Zendaya, Rihanna, Selena, Meryl? And that was just in the last couple of years.

Let’s not pretend that this is like one of those model covers they did once a year and then never had a model cover aside from it. Vogue has probably been the most diverse fashion magazine recently period. Not just on terms of covers but inside, as well.

Some people just don’t see perspective. They judge only the one thing in front of their eyes.

Yalitza was featured in Vogue btw, along with her male costar, who was part of the fashion edit.

Do some research.

 

[Deleted member 141309]

Was it disingenuous when they put Serena on the cover solo? Or Lupita? Or Beyoncé, Michele, Zendaya, Rihanna, Selena, Meryl? And that was just in the last couple of years.

Let’s not pretend that this is like one of those model covers they did once a year and then never had a model cover aside from it. Vogue has probably been the most diverse fashion magazine recently period. Not just on terms of covers but inside, as well.

Some people just don’t see perspective. They judge only the one thing in front of their eyes.

Yalitza was featured in Vogue btw, along with her male costar, who was part of the fashion edit.

Do some research.

People don't like to admit they are wrong nowadays, unfortunately. And it does not matter for some people here what you say - they just want to say "Fire Anna, so reductive, so behind, what a stupid woman, who is the most powerful and respected figure in fashion for decades! She doesn't know what the world wants, but I, a random person on TFS forums, know. Make all Vogues black and asian right now, no matter what!"

Obviously, Vogue has never been more diverse than today.

 

[cestmagique]

^ ^^ and speaking of being judgmental... Yeah, let me go "do some research" since I just rolled in here yesterday. Diversity as an overall trend is obviously up at Vogue; that doesn't mean there is never potential for a misstep in tone or presentation. And no, I'm not harping on about Anna needing to be fired, nor do I think that needs to happen, so shelve the pissy attitude and stop putting words in other people's mouths.

 

[Deleted member 45369]

^ ^^ and speaking of being judgmental... Yeah, let me go "do some research" since I just rolled in here yesterday. Diversity as an overall trend is obviously up at Vogue; that doesn't mean there is never potential for a misstep in tone or presentation. And no, I'm not harping on about Anna needing to be fired, nor do I think that needs to happen, so shelve the pissy attitude and stop putting words in other people's mouths.

I still don’t think you understand what I mean by “perspective”. Yes, if you were to judge Vogue by this one cover, there is a few issues with it but that is a very narrow purview to have of anything much less a monthly magazine.

As a minority in the US, I choose to pick my battles more wisely. There are plenty of news outlets spewing some real anti immigrant hate, Vogue is the not one of them.

 

[Deleted member 45369]

This is so incredibly cheesy... do they think they are poignant with the "a celebration of global talent".

Just be diverse, don't make it a statement, it's 2019, this shouldn't be a 'thing' anymore.

This is an issue focusing on global talent though. This isn’t them trying to be “diverse”. Priyanka on the cover was exactly the type of diversity you stated in your comment but with this issue they are specifically spotlighting women from around the world who are relatively unknown in the US thus the cover line.

 

[iriswills]

...Anna, so reductive, so behind, what a stupid woman, who is the most powerful and respected figure in fashion for decades!.

Right, because the fashion world has always been on the cutting edge of diversity and equality. Many well-respected, powerful people perpetuate racist and sexist narratives (ie Clement Greenberg and American modern art). Speaking as a random TFS member, I do not have to bow down to Anna. I do not have to give her kudos because Vogue’s bigger picture is mildly more diverse. I enjoy coming to this forum because there are many intelligent people here who might not agree with me but who are not afraid to scrutinize Vogue. When I see a cover like this - during a critical time of protest and when minorities are finally being given their due voice - it really does seem behind the times and like a terrible miss. It’s just my opinion and not something that should be labeled as dumb or wrong because Anna Wintour (privileged, white) supposedly knows best.

 

[TZ001]

What about Vogue Paris? The 'Whitest' Vogue ever?

 

[zacatecas570]

I'd love to see Yalitza, not only on the editorial but the main cover.

 

[Deleted member 141309]

^ ^^ and speaking of being judgmental... Yeah, let me go "do some research" since I just rolled in here yesterday. Diversity as an overall trend is obviously up at Vogue; that doesn't mean there is never potential for a misstep in tone or presentation. And no, I'm not harping on about Anna needing to be fired, nor do I think that needs to happen, so shelve the pissy attitude and stop putting words in other people's mouths.

By the way, my post wasn’t about exactly you, I just meant general trends on TFS, sorry if you thought it was directed at you

 

[Deleted member 141309]

Right, because the fashion world has always been on the cutting edge of diversity and equality. Many well-respected, powerful people perpetuate racist and sexist narratives (ie Clement Greenberg and American modern art). Speaking as a random TFS member, I do not have to bow down to Anna. I do not have to give her kudos because Vogue’s bigger picture is mildly more diverse. I enjoy coming to this forum because there are many intelligent people here who might not agree with me but who are not afraid to scrutinize Vogue. When I see a cover like this - during a critical time of protest and when minorities are finally being given their due voice - it really does seem behind the times and like a terrible miss. It’s just my opinion and not something that should be labeled as dumb or wrong because Anna Wintour (privileged, white) supposedly knows best.

You opinion is absolutely I agree with, because you know it is one and it is structured and argumented, it is not the case that everyone should pray on Vogue and Anna.
It is just me wishing people would express their opinions on topics like these with respect, dignity and knowledge, also kindness. Sometimes there are lots of comments in threads playing race cards just for the sake of it, lots of comments being two-faced - when it is Nicole Kidman on the cover, people would shred her to pieces for being a WHITE talented actress, but when it is Lupita - they are saying “so fed up, is she the only black person on Earth?” and this attitude is what makes this great forum sometimes toxic. Some people just want to cause controversy and gain attention or make a feud, not to express opinions in a polite way like you did. It is common to tell people they are dumb through saying “do some research”, but it is plain wrong to assume that someone knows less than someone else on the Internet.

Going back to the cover, makes me sad to see stuff like “they put Scarlett in the center, because she is white”. Same would happen if it was an asian or a black person. This cover is how you should try to be inclusive and diverse, there are people representing all major races. Not all white privilege, not a pretentious all-black cover screaming that Anna forces Vogue into diversity.
I hope we get covers like this more often, but not in such a mundane, boring glamour way.

 

[Morgane07]

What about Vogue Paris? The 'Whitest' Vogue ever?

The US is a melting-pot and, more importantly, Afro-Americans have a lot of influence on today’s pop culture on a global scale, on the music we listen to, on the way we dress, the way we talk, the way we look (look at k-pop, all the pandering and blackfishing today with the Kardashians, Ariana Grande, etc.) so of course we are going to get covers with prominent Black celebs like Beyonce or Rihanna, considering the important role they play today and how much influence they have globally. But can we really call this diversity and representation?

The influence of minorities on pop culture in countries like France or Italy is unfortunately minor for the time being, especially on a global scale, so maybe this is why there is less “representation” than Vogue US. Although I do find it is wrong and backward that Vogue Paris mainly sends the message that you have to be thin, white and preferably with long floating hair – like the Birkin clan – to be desirable and cool.

I will only add that I find the whole “poor Anna can never win” argument tired and too easy. We were not bashing Anna or asking for her to be fired or being disrespectful. I just dislike the message that having the white actresses taking centre stage on BOTH covers sends. This isn’t what I’d like young women of colour to see if I was at the helm of a magazine.

 

[JPineapple]

What about Vogue Paris? The 'Whitest' Vogue ever?

The only thing about “diversity” that I aplaud from Vogue Paris, is that they took the risk to be the first Vogue to have a transgender model on the cover. Anna could never.

 

[HeatherAnne]

This is an issue focusing on global talent though. This isn’t them trying to be “diverse”. Priyanka on the cover was exactly the type of diversity you stated in your comment but with this issue they are specifically spotlighting women from around the world who are relatively unknown in the US thus the cover line.

Bless your naive little heart. It's definitely so people pat them on the back for featuring a diverse cast. And what the hell is [a very photoshopped] Scarlett Johnassen doing in the mix if they are trying to feature relative unknowns? Their pairing of a certain race with a certain country.... hate to break it to you, is racist in-itself.

 

[Yohji]

Scarlett seems so out of place considering the theme. I wish Vanessa Kirby, Alba Rohrwacher or Golshifteh Farahani had taken her spot. But I'm glad they were all included anyway.

Angelababy... that's embarassing. Aside from that, I love the actresses that have been featured.

 

[Deleted member 141523]

I really like Elizabeth Debicki here, but unfortunately she was outshined by the discussion if all the group is Vogue worthy or not. I don't know the rest, by the exception of Scarlett (I agree, she's overrated, as Natalie Portman) and Lea, wich doesn't look good here. Anna's Vogue has the record of black solo covers, so I don't think they put Scarlett in the middle because she is white. She's there because it's American Vogue, and she represents that country in this picture. I know they should pick someone else, but the next Avenger movie will premiere next month. They want to sell, that's US Vogue spirit, it's the most commercial of all. Don't pretend this is Vogue Ukraine or Portugal.

 

[MON]

We see things that fit our narrative. Let’s leave it at that.

 

[Benn98]

Can someone please ID the brands who got the cover? Angelababy in Dior, obviously. But what about the rest?

 

[moonmoon]

Can someone please ID the brands who got the cover? Angelababy in Dior, obviously. But what about the rest?

Bae (in Dolce & Gabbana), Johansson (in Marni), and Padukone (in Oscar de la Renta) Seydoux (in Louis Vuitton), Angelababy (in Dior), Debicki (in Maison Margiela), and Etomi-Wellington (in Erdem)