Vogue Hong Kong March 2019 : Gigi Hadid & Fei Fei Sun by Nick Knight

[Benn98]

I'm confused with the cover, because it doesn't represent Hong Kong at all and putting a caucaisan model and an asian model on the cover is not east meet west, it's so cliche. Since they are finding Nick Knight and Anya Ziourova for the cover, I assumed they are not working in Hong Kong. The videos they put on instagram are much nicer ( with more Hong Kong crew ) than this and I don't know why they didn't find someone know about more asian/Hong Kong background to work on it. We don't need another US/UK Vogue.

I also found it odd, the emphasis on 'East/West.' I should know, my dad works there and I visit him once/twice a year. Hong Kong for me always seemed more modern and naturally more progressive than China, and there is still some British influence, but for the most part I find the overall culture very homogenous. Like Taiwan. If I think of a distinct East/West culture in Asia it would be Singapore, not even Japan. It sounds like this editor is trying to window-dress or build a narrative around the magazine, which I suppose is fine.

As for the theme, I now like the duo cover more, looking forward to Fei Fei's OG one. And all of it looks very much for Vogue Australia's anniversary cover with Gemma a few years ago.

I certainly doubt whether the magazine will be like Vogue Taiwan. It sounds more like it will be like Vogue Arabia, local celebrities every now and then, but mostly international models.

It's more like the publisher trying to detach themselves from Asian to me, while Gigi was accused of mocking Asians.

There too, I mean, she insulted all Asians really. Except maybe the Shintoist Japanese . It's absurd of her to think it shouldn't affect Hong Kongese. Others may not have followed such a hardline approach as China did to ban Gigi, but it was insulting to them all the same.

 

[Bertrando3]

Sun Fei Fei solo cover is the only good thing here. The Gigi cover is bad as always and the two models together was unnecessary. It reminds me of the beginning of Vogue Nippon with Kate Moss and the other model. On their instagram people are HATING it like cray loooool.

• lqsw852456
  this is their PR strategy ! they knew Asians dont f*ckin like her and they don't care and they actually wanted this kind sh*ts . f*cking cheap AF
• lee_zhen95
• What a failure cover
• thirdworldparty
• @nick_knight not sure if you’re racist as her too? Shame on Vogue HK
• sashapaulov2484
  嘩～ 呢個封面好核突呀～ 好playboy 一啲都唔high end~ ugly and cheap~
• shrestha.arc
  On your first cover you could have chosen Asian models but no we see gigi hadid, racist. Is PR more important? Most readers are Asians. Disappointed!!
• martinifluid
  This is such a cheap move. Choice of model is bad. The cover is a disaster. Everyone can express their opinions and this is trashyyyyy
• williesshi
  @nick_knight shooting an asian-discriminated for an Asian vogue lololol not cool
• zigi.videos
  An angel ❤️
• hwangheeeee
  一副上吊自杀的脸
• love.models.travel
  BIG fail having Gigi! So overexposed. Byeee

Indeed I love futuristic themes but COME ON Gigi cover 30449993????? If she was at least a good model lol we could all deal with her but it´s pure nepotism and she still does not know how to model after years of being in this industry lol = useless. And as far as Vogue Hong Kong is concerned it will indeed be another Vogue Italia wannabe with Bella, Gigi and Kendall every year: ``just because´´. NEXT !

 

[Morgane07]

When Vogue Arabia launched, I saw many Arabic women complain about Gigi's cover because although her dad is Palestinian, Gigi is the quintessential blonde Californian girl they do not identify with at all. They'd have preferred a woman from their region that they identify with and represents them more to be given the honor of the first cover, especially that they have very little visibility. Somehow I have the feeling that if Vogue Africa launched and Zendaya was offered the first cover, she'd have the awareness to decline it.
And here Gigi is pissing people off again. From a PR point of view, shouldn't she have declined this one? What is she gaining from it? Or being triggering is a good PR strategy because at least people talk about you?

 

[MON]

"We have landed" -- If you wanna be this cocky, be sure to have the chops to back it up.

Premiere issues should always, imho, present what the edition has to offer. Sadly, this cover just showed recycled creativity. The concept, recycled. The art direction, recycled. Imagine sharing the same cover star and the same font with Vogue Arabia on the same month. A terrible way to start.

Fei Fei commanded this shoot, but is still very underwhelming.

If you wanted the "we have arrived" theme, there are so many ways to execute it. Gigi in front of the HKIA posing as if she just arrived; or models on top of a delivery truck posing for the gods; or a famous Hong Kong celebrity on deck a ship with the Hong Kong flag waiving behind it. At this day and age where magazines are dying, editors cannot afford to restrain creativity. Its the only thing they've got -- assuming they have it.

Nothing, so far, will beat the launch of Vogue Polska. That was a statement.

 

[magsaddict]

mostly it's cause they can't, instead of they don't want to use international celeb and models.
Taiwan is a pretty small and irrelevant market in fashion world, so means nobody cares it besides themselves. Big names won't shoot for u just because u r titled "Vogue", unless it's the big 4..

I used to think that too, but it seems these days most creatives will shoot for any ''Vogue'' edition. After all what looks better on your instagram than something shot for Vogue? They can just photoshop out the 'Taiwan' bit from the masthead for instagram and most people can't tell the difference. Exhibit A: Elsa Hosk shooting a beauty editorial for Vogue Taiwan this month.

 

[JPineapple]

Omg they deleted Gigi’s cover from instagram.

 

[TZ001]

They deleted Gigi’s solo cover on Instagram and Facebook.

 

[AFWQ]

Wait... WHAT!???

is it because of all hate!??

 

[KateIsGr8]

Well, there goes Vogue HK already lol. I understand the public reaction is extremely important, especially with a relaunch issue, but c’mon guys... You chose Gigi, have some dignity and keep Gigi.

 

[Benn98]

Well, there goes Vogue HK already lol. I understand the public reaction is extremely important, especially with a relaunch issue, but c’mon guys... You chose Gigi, have some dignity and keep Gigi.

Lol, well bugger me! That was fast. The Chinese don't play. And they never forget either. Just ask Japan.

I wonder whether Gigi's cover will make print....

 

[KateIsGr8]

I do wonder the same, considering the extremely last minute decisions before print began.

 

[RedSmokeRise]

Hmm..idk about this one Nick...

Should've been Fei Fei by herself. Why does Gigi look like an anime (?)

 

[MON]

This magazine has no balls.

Don’t tell me they didn’t expect this to happen. Everyone in the fashion industry knew that Gigi is tarnished in so far as the general public in China is concerned, yet they did this.

This was calculated to draw publicity, and now they’re getting it, they’ll delete the cover and back track? No.

Also, why delete if there’s nothing wrong with the cover? Or if there’s something wrong with it, then where’s the apology? Its just so disingenious at this point.

What a messy edition.

 

[chanelh]

probably the worst vogue launching in history.

I know chief editor Peter Wong in person, he is talented of course, with good sensitivity of culture and fashion, thanks to his professionalism in English literature.

But if have to be honest , I do admit he is kind soft for this position. not bold or decisive in my impression, Angelica surely acts much more like a boss than him.

Before he joined vogue, all his life, he was engaged to high-end culture magazines, which means he lacks of experience in confronting the massive market.
and he doesn't use any social media except a personal FB account. a shy and discreet person. So he is not experienced at handling angry, judgmental and overwhelming public voice on social media.

Let's see tmr, the official launching day, how they remedy the situation.
no matter what, someone will be responsible for this strategy failure, Peter is definitely walking on thin ice now.

 

[Mathewthew]

Maybe I should buy this issue, because they probably won’t have a second one. I will be more happy if they use their screenshot from the video for the cover. Probably it’s the PR strategy, we talks more about hate than appreciation.
In my opinion, their Instagram really got me excited about the first issue. They have the nostalgic feeling and the location is quite interesting. That’s why I don’t understand why they need to pick Anya as fashion director of Hong Kong vogue. Is there no good experienced Asian fashion director suitable for this job ?

 

[alice]

The concept of the cover is very bland and boring...it can be an editorial of any country’s edition. Don’t really see the “HK elements” at all. The concept of Angela Yuen’s story is better but has been seen for multiple times in other fashion magazines. Quite weak as a launch issue.

 

[happycanadian]

This is all so ridiculous.

 

[RMDV]

Big names won't shoot for u just because u r titled "Vogue", unless it's the big 4.

Which are the big four? American, Italia, British... Japan? China?

 

[GERGIN]

^
Paris!

 

[Hafyiez wafa]

anyone know where can i buy this for digital magazine?