US Vogue June 2019 : Zendaya by Tyler Mitchell

[Benn98]

And this is exactly why high fashion is so basic these days.

When social justice and identity-politics guilts people into supporting and praising an otherwise mediocre photographer into a high profile position, someone who's incapable of creative and daring vision that high fashion need to thrive on. His efforts literally epitomizes dime-a-dozen.

We are so deep in creative lesser times now. Rather, content only in the color of an individual’s skin as promotion of supposed new talent (because this somehow rectifies the injustices of the past when a genuinely talented POC photographer were denied the job…). But these are the dire fashion times we’re in, where mediocrity rules simply because kidz weened on SM can relate to someone who doesn’t challenge/provoke their safe sensibility and feel a sense of social and cultural superiority for simply supporting an individual for being Black, and nothing else. I mean, he isn’t unskilled. Just that anyone can shoot like Tylor if they bother to invest the time in a photography course at their local college— or just read any photo publication. And privileged enough to have the support of Beyonce LOL And add to that Zendaya— the posterchild for the I-can’t-relate-to-anyone-who’s-not-the-same-ethnicity/race/religion-as-me brigade… And it’s all a collective of mediocrity that has absolutely nothing to do with the daring vision that defines HF :sigh:

Couldn't agree with you more! The fanfare every time he shoots for any magazine is eye-rolling. I actually wouldn't mind it if Tyler would, like any up-and-coming photographer, work his way through editorials and lesser editions first before being fast-tracked to shooting such big covers. That would at least help him develop his style first and push himself more in a confident manner. The same happened with Theo Wenner, is happening to Bibi Cornejo Borthwick, and will probably happen to Sorrenti's daughter. It is politics, in the latter case nepotism, which is their advantage.

There will always be this much unjustified value attached to photographers who come from an underrepresented group. And especially while we are in this socially conscious state. The same happened when a few seasons back when we saw that wave of 'female gaze' photographers shooting every where. But that's was different in the sense that about 6 or 7 dominated the scene at the same time, meaning the power wasn't concentrated. And eventually we got to a point where we can agree, without the risk of being labelled 'anti women', that some deliver stellar work, and some not so stellar. That awareness of gender is almost invisible and most judge the image based on how it looks and not by whether it was a male or female who shot it, and I think that's great. So maybe the solution in this case is more black photographers. If we can get more black photographers shooting for every title from the lowly Grazia/Glamour to Vogue to Another, maybe then we can start separating the wheat from the chaff and many will eventually tire of the politics. It would for a starters be a rude awakening for this Tyler Mitchell.

 

[Deleted member 141523]

Zendaya looks very underage here

 

[woemwoem]

The Zendaya ed is the epitome of forced sophistication. She is young, looks young, and is being artificially made to look older than she is. That flapper haircut looks terrible and completely ill-matching. That's the difference between a celeb and a model. We have plenty of under-20 year old models who can carry it off b/c they look a certain way and have the presence to carry it off. Zendaya doesn't.

 

[apple]

Wow, Oliver's editorial is very cute and it reminds me of vintage Vogue. I actually think Kendall looks great here, even better that Vittoria.

 

[MON]

I think. It sounds like you're not a fan, @MON ? Will leave his feature until I get my print issue.

Its not that I'm not a fan, I just haven't heard much of him other than the fact that he might be the "First Openly Gay President of the United States." Tip though, he needs to change the narrative quick.

 

[FashionMuseDior]

I actually think Kendall looks great here, even better that Vittoria.

I agree, but you gotta keep in mind that Vittoria appeared in like two pictures and grouped with Kendall. Ofc, Kendall's got to have the upper hand in this.

 

[Joromana]

And this is exactly why high fashion is so basic these days.

When social justice and identity-politics guilts people into supporting and praising an otherwise mediocre photographer into a high profile position, someone who's incapable of creative and daring vision that high fashion need to thrive on. His efforts literally epitomizes dime-a-dozen.

I won't get into the identity-politics that you're getting into (just that I disagree with most of what you write) but I for one am REALLY happy we are finally getting some fresh new talent. I've been really happy seeing this next wave of photographers grow and develop. I, for one, am tired of the same McDean/Liebovitz/Klein/Sorrenti/Jansson photos we've seen time and time again, not to mention Demarchelier and Testino.

(not Meisel tho. Still look forward to him.)

 

[Morgane07]

I agree, but you gotta keep in mind that Vittoria appeared in like two pictures and grouped with Kendall. Ofc, Kendall's got to have the upper hand in this.

It's been like this for a while now. Vogue US have all the models who pose with Kendall play second fiddle. The worst was the shoot with Imaan. They always make sure Kendall won't be outshone.

 

[VogueGirl8910]

Awful cover & issue, i mean Mitchell tried to copy to Herb Ritts' style on the main story & the results are bad. The only editorial than saves this issue is the Pennetta's photoshoot & the rest is just boring.