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.

COMMENTARY....

Does the All-Black Issue of Italian Vogue Mean Sisters’ Beauty is Being Appreciated Globally?

By: Jackie Jones

Fashions come, and fashions go -- and the same can be said about black models.

But it has been particularly difficult for black models to remain active players in the fashion industry game. Vogue Italia takes on racial discrimination in its July issue, which features only black models, including Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Iman, Pat Cleveland, Alek Wek, Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn. The U.S. issue of Vogue tackles the topic in an article in its July issue.

While most purveyors of fashion would suggest it’s a natural part of fashion to pick a flavor of the month, so to speak, many observers note that highly-paid supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek, Mounia and Iman have been pretty much replaced on the runways by models from eastern Europe.

Does the All-Black Issue of Italian Vogue Mean Sisters’ Beauty is Being Appreciated Globally?....