Vanity Fair July/August 2020 : Viola Davis by Dario Calmese

Nice to see Viola, but what a gimmick to make a totally dark cover.

 

The editorial preview is strong, but I don't like the cover. Why the dark effect? I think when you have such a powerful coverline a straightforward or pensive profile image would have been better to really drive the point home.
And anyway, this dark skin and dark blue effect was done far better in Lauryn Hill's Ex Factor music video. Maybe this was the one time when Ethan would have been a better choice to shoot this cover.

 

Wow the most beautiful cover of VF in a long long time

What is she wearing?

 

Love Viola but the only photo I like is the one where she is wearing the wax piece.

One could believe this was shot by Annie! The back showing, the gold, the harsh and unnecessary photoshop...

Edward should put her on the cover, by Meisel...Of Course.

 

Horrible lighting on the cover

 

That cover is a disservice to Viola. The second or third photo would have made better covers.

 

I miss seeing the glamour that only Mario testino was able to photograph, especially for Vanity Fair and Vogue

 

O!M!G!!!!! THat was literally my first reaction when I just saw this on Twitter and then I just had to go to this forum as soon as possible.

Absolutely amazing cover and editorial, probably one of the best covers of the year if not of the last few years. Viola is one of my favourite famous people, incredibly talented and just an awesome human being. Glorious to see her covering VF. See Anna, this is what you are missing.

 

I like the cover well enough, it’s dramatic, glamorous, and unusual. I absolutely love the third editorial photo, though, and it would have made an incredible cover. I hope this is a sign Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is coming out soon and hasn’t been pushed due to Covid-19.

 

I’m in love. Viola is perfection.

 

The cover is STUNNING! Very dramatic, glamorous, the kind of cover we need right now.

 

It is quite a dark cover but I think it makes her look alluring and mysterious but also commanding. She's rarely ever photographed this way so I like it for that reason!

 

The only thing I don’t like is the lack of eye contact. Like she’s completely avoiding the camera.

All the pictures would be better if she was looking at the camera.

 

A brilliant cover, definitely one to add to Radhika Jones' more finer moments editing Vanity Fair. It's extremely eye-catching and arresting - love the blue overload, the use of the profile shot which highlights and compliments Viola's afro wonderfully. Zero complaints here!

 

Max Mara

 

It’s rare to see covers like that in general.. so good.

 

I did not even realized that he is the first black man to photograph for VF.
Great for him (even if it won’t change what I think about this cover)!

Now, I’m waiting for his Vogue debut! Edward, hurry up!