US Vogue March 2007 : Jennifer Hudson by Annie Leibovitz

[style_expert]

Get over it, people...for god's sake..it's just a magazine cover

 

[Skirt]

I'm excited for this.

 

[honeyisle]

^I think its a testament to how incredibly groundbreaking this is.

Whatever happens or however you feel this is an important moment. Although there are other established actresses who could have gotten the cover I am glad that it went to Jennifer. Someone like a Naomi Watts, Natalie Portman or a Chloe Sevigny will always be featured within the pages of Vogue. Always. Dare I say it it won't be long before we see them on the cover of Vogue as they represent the precise kind of beauty Vogue likes. I'm not going to get into the politics of beauty that span across race, class, size and so forth but I'll just say that Naomi Watts getting a Vogue cover is not really news in the way that Jennifer getting a Vogue cover is. Vogue adores classically beautiful (bonus points for blondes) women who fit sample sizes. End of story. They are the bread and butter of the magazine and anyone who doesn't fit that mold is either shut out or pushed to the back burner.

In media we simply do not see images of women like Jennifer. It just doesn't happen. Apart from O magazine and its monthly picture of Oprah I cannot think of a single mainstream magazine that features plus sized women on its cover, let alone plus sized minority women. This is MAJOR, this is a chance for people to see an image of beauty that is similar to their own. I think were underestimating just how powerful that can be. I love Gwyneth almost as much as Anna does but its nice to see someone who is different depicted as beautiful and vital.

As for her fashion sense I have got to say that it is hard to be fashionable or to be considered fashionable when your body type is not made for many of the current looks. I speak from personal experience on this. Faith Akiyama, is absolutely right most of today's latest looks are designed with a lean frame in mind, one has to work twice as hard to look good. Designers aren't exactly clamouring to dress starlets that don't fit their samples. I'd wager she didn't get much attention from the until the reviews started rolling in. I think Jennifer's personal style is coming along nicely though. She has Andre Leon Talley by her side of course which has to be helpful I personally think she's got a very clear cut look working that very retro Hollywood glamour look, reminiscent to what the original torch singers would wear.


I for one cannot wait to buy this issue. Usually I complain for lack of models but I don't care this time. I'm so proud of her. This is a girl who is making it on talent and talent alone. She's not out there shaking her rump in music videos or cavorting with idle socialites, she's doing her thing and doing it well and people are noticing. So many of today's stars are famous for nothing more than wearing loaned frocks and showing up at parties. Her performance was mesmerizing in Dreamgirls, she blew some of the established actors off the screen. I think she deserves every bit of fame that comes her way. Its been so long since I've seen someone garner this much attention based solely on merit. Yes the hype around her is overwhelming but I'd much rather hear about Jennifer than about Paris Hilton or another of those vapid, overexposed twits who seem to be on the cover of everything else.

As for there only being one black or asian model at a time I know thats discussion for another topic but I've never understood the point of that either. Especially considering that people of African and/or Asian descent come in so many different varieties. But thats a long long post for another topic I suppose.

Back to Vogue. How much Trentini do we have this time around? Eventually were going to get an issue that is all Trentini from cover to cover.

Images: Yahoo Movies

WORD to everything you said.

 

[kuba01]

Get over it, people...for god's sake..it's just a magazine cover

True. So true. But then again, how can you not resist the temptation to comment (or argue ) about this? It's very controversial!

 

[alix*]

Why is everyone so obsessed about this? :S

 

[dcobeyd]

I read somewhere that caroline will be featured in US vogue at least till april... i guess people hate that a commom looking girl is making these kind of success in a """fashion bible""", but i think american vogue is for a different market and culture, thinking it would change to italian or french vogue artistic level is illusional, it would be easier if the opposite happened...

 

[Caffeine]

I don't like the cover.
Not because of J Hudson. It's because Vogue has transformed from a trend leader to a trend follower. This time, a political trend follower.
I never understand why people treat race a big deal. vogue is trying way too hard.

 

[kanita]

Get over it, people...for god's sake..it's just a magazine cover

That you would ever say that

True though, this just shows that there is an issue. To bad.

 

[NickiLee]

I don't like the cover.

Have you even seen it?

 

[Caffeine]

and from many comments I read, it sounds like native ameircan, indian,asian, etc. are not considered minority.

 

[Miss Dalloway]

I don't like the cover.

Hmm where did you see it???

 

[kissmesweet]

I for one cannot wait to buy this issue. Usually I complain for lack of models but I don't care this time. I'm so proud of her. This is a girl who is making it on talent and talent alone.

Thank you, Lux for the amazing post.

- US Vogue has evolved in such a way that it doesn't stand for high fashion but rather for American women who can afford high fashion. The magazine is a lifestyle inspiration rather than a fashion bible.

Absolutely. Karma to both of you guys.

 

[liberty33r1b]

when will the issue be out?

 

[ShoeGal4Eva]

still no cover pictures?

 

[URIAH]

while i am happy for her, i don't think anyone can live up to that much hype. add that to the oscar curse (right?) and she'd be better off not to win. as an artist and a person, i hope she has good people around her to guide her, and not let her be cast aside after being sainted and declared the best thing since sunlight (gretchen mol anyone?)

 

[Pilaf]

I don't like the cover.
Not because of J Hudson. It's because Vogue has transformed from a trend leader to a trend follower. This time, a political trend follower.
I never understand why people treat race a big deal. vogue is trying way too hard.

Thank you, Anna is trying way too hard to please ALT as a personal favor.

 

[Deleted member 45369]

I think we need to put things in perspective. IT'S JUST A DAMN MAGAZINE COVER!!! the real accomplishment is not being on the cover of f*cking Vogue, it's winning a damn Oscar. Come on people, I love fashion magazines as much as anybody else here,but I seriously doubt people outside these forums give a damn about who's on the cover. A few months down the road no one will be saying Jennifer Hudson: Vogue covergirl but from now on she'll always be referred to Oscar nominee(or winner).

 

[sepia]

I think it's wrong to believe people are putting to much stock into a mere magazine cover. All artifacts of a culture, including magazine covers, are insights into their values. People still remember Beverly Johnson as the first black woman on the cover of US Vogue. They still remember the image of a pregnant Demi Moore on the cover of Vanity Fair. So while some covers are forgettable, there are countless other covers that have proved to be significant over the course of time.

 

[peter1980]

Get over it, people...for god's sake..it's just a magazine cover

HAHAHA you are very funny But it is totally true, we all know that us vogue covers are terible the last years. Look at last month this cover of renee that she whas sitting on a rabbit, and they choose the wrong ancle of her face !! Lets concentrate on spanish,italian,uk,china,nippon vogue they are quit nice especially the new china vogue with gisele on the cover

 

[peter1980]

The last great vogue cover whas sep 2004 !!