Vogue Ukraine April 2023 by Vasylyna Vrublevska

[Xone]

Here is the cover

 

[MON]

They wasted a beautiful theme (stoicism and resilience of [Ukrainian] people and to our shared path to the victory) by featuring "non-figurative work [that] is part of The Garden of Nothing, an ongoing project Vrublevska is shooting across the country, mixing documentation of architectural debris and abstract laboratory experiments with film."

The stoicism and resilience of the Ukrainian people are manifested by no less than the people themselves - the very same people who are courageously braving the unknown, and not by "architectural debris and abstract laboratory experiments with film."

In fact, the actual relaunch of Vogue Ukraine under the circumstances is another symbolism of hope and is a cause for celebration. And we have this... I'm not from Ukraine, and I don't want to speak on behalf of the Ukrainian people, but personally, I would have preferred seeing something that would inspire hope and not a reminder of the gloom that lies ahead. Toxic positivity? Maybe. But that's just me.

Vogue's (all editions) obsession with using random abstract images and calling it "art" or "iconic" needs to stop.

A wasted opportunity really.

 

[tigerrouge]

They wasted a beautiful theme (stoicism and resilience of [Ukrainian] people and to our shared path to the victory) by featuring "non-figurative work [that] is part of The Garden of Nothing, an ongoing project Vrublevska is shooting across the country, mixing documentation of architectural debris and abstract laboratory experiments with film."

The stoicism and resilience of the Ukrainian people are manifested by no less than the people themselves - the very same people who are courageously braving the unknown, and not by "architectural debris and abstract laboratory experiments with film."

The idea that war affects people on a scale which can no longer be adequately conveyed by the figurative certainly has its place. When the widespread loss of human life is reduced to numbers in news stories, we lose sight that every single one of those people had a life of their own. How do you account for that reality? How do you describe those thousands upon thousands? How do you speak for them all? Because the landscape of the dead forms the world in which the living are moving forward, and it can't be washed away with rainbows. The blood and resentment will linger for years, as twisted as the broken buildings, and it will still be there, inside people, long after the debris in the streets is swept away.

 

[MON]

The idea that war affects people on a scale which can no longer be adequately conveyed by the figurative certainly has its place. When the widespread loss of human life is reduced to numbers in news stories, we lose sight that every single one of those people had a life of their own. How do you account for that reality? How do you describe those thousands upon thousands? How do you speak for them all? Because the landscape of the dead forms the world in which the living are moving forward, and it can't be washed away with rainbows. The blood and resentment will linger for years, as twisted as the broken buildings, and it will still be there, inside people, long after the debris in the streets is swept away.

But its not mutually exclusive. Portraying the resilient people of Ukraine is in no means "washing away with rainbows" the stories of thousands whose lives were lost. To me, the manifestation of their resilience are seen on the faces of the people themselves. Heck, give us a mirror cover. If they wanted to take the route of resilience and show a path to victory, the best representation is the people.

 

[tigerrouge]

To me, a mirrored cover on the front of a fashion magazine would speak more of vanity, of the self. And whose individual voices do you choose to feature? Typically in a magazine, it's the ones who are friends of the editor, or who can benefit the publication in some way. We've all seen enough content in any edition of Vogue to know that well-oiled connections are what gets someone's face on a page.

In this case, that way of working would seem unsuitable, and perhaps something to avoid.

It's back to the question of "what part can a fashion magazine play at times like this?" Should it offer frivolous distraction? Should it attempt to make a serious point? Should it simply record the times? What kind of comment or vision can a commercial product provide?

 

[Xone]

I would like to know what Ukranian people think about that....it's tricky because it's a fashion magazine and in a way is a symbol of hope but not sure if based on reality if attacks continue to happen...but i think the cover speaks to its people and to the world...

We can imagine a thousand ways to do things...and some of the ideas are good but there is not only one way to do things..even though some of us might think we have the right answer.

 

[aracic]

I guess there's an upside to this edition making a return, I'm glad if it's providing hope for the people of Ukraine but I personally couldn't care less about what they're offering here. Again, I understand the circumstances and I respect what they're trying to do but artsy fartsy covers on Vogue are the one thing I can not and will not ever be able to tolerate. Hard pass.

 

[balmain1914]

A fashion magazine now becomes a pure political publication? It could be more creative, at least with models.

 

[SLFC]

A fashion magazine now becomes a pure political publication? It could be more creative, at least with models.

Its a reflection of its people, and right now hundreds of thousands of their people are fighting, and millions of their people are displaced. There is certainly place for this in their own Vogue edition.

 

[crmsn]

It may not be "Vogue", but it looks very important to the Ukrainian people.
I'll let it pass because it's the return of one of my favorite Vogue editions.
I can't wait to see the reviews.

 

[Deleted member 141523]

Digital only or this will be printed? I don't know how press works during war times there.

 

[thenewclassic]

I mean I'm not gonna hate on this, I'm happy they're back to work and hoping for peace for all.

 

[Kimy Jo]

Digital only or this will be printed? I don't know how press works during war times there.

Both, the pre-order is available on their site
I will wait for CNWWN, this issue seems historic

 

[Xone]

Preview:

 

[penny609]

I'm so glad this magazine is back that I won't comment on their choices, I don't feel my point of view would be needed or relevant.

As for models... I know ukrainian models, model agencies and young photographers still working hard in their field (aka fashion) both from abroad and in their home country. Hope there is a little place for them in this magazine. It would also be a message of hope, resilience etc (no matter how you call it after all) and a little fashionable victory coming from what remains a fashion magazine.

 

[Avonlea]

There is simply no need for so many Vogue editions. Even before war VU was mediocre at best. I don't think Ukrainian people ever cared about this publication. Maybe a small group of those living in big cities.

 

[FashionMuseDior]

There is always ways for a fashion magazine to tackle issues like what Ukraine is going through at the moment.

archive.vogue.com

 

[oaklee91]

I wanna see Ukrainian girls next. Naty C please!

 

[Deleted member 1957]

This is a country that is stil being bombed with citizens still going through a major senseless war so I think the cover subject was the right thing to do. The editorials and other content can be inside but the cover should reflect whats happening. Having smiling models wouldnt show the resilience or strength of Ukranian people considering that most Ukranians dont rteally relate with the models or the lifestyle they live, it would instead come off as tone deaf. an the other option which would be somber models or sad models would come off as contrived.

 

[Deleted member 141523]

Praying as well that this insane war comes to an end and the dictator who caused it goes to jail for life. My biggest wish for Ukraine.