All-black Vogue Italia a Hit, But Will It Help Black Models?

By: Patrice Gaines

In Chicago, Alma Hopkins spent days searching. In Los Angeles, Karen Grisby Bates got used to the words, “We’ve sold out.” In New York, Maiysha finally found two copies.

The hot item the women were hunting for is the July issue of Vogue Italia: A Black Issue.


The famous glossy features black models at a time when the high fashion industry has ignored them in favor of waif-like models of European descent. A month after its release the Vogue Italia, which generally sells for from $15 to $20—is being sold on eBay for $40.


The issue sold out in the U.S. almost immediately after its release, prompting Conde Nast to print 40,000 more copies.


Hopkins, Bates and Maiysha (a model and musician who uses only her first name) were among the fortunate who found copies. Meanwhile, all over the country, lots of people are still searching.

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