Vogue Magazine Under Fire For Darkening Their Models’ Skin

Vogue has created many controversial covers in the past. There is no doubt that the magazine is trying to be more diverse. This time around, the British Vogue cover took up the task of celebrating black models. Their attempt in doing so is being branded as offensive.

Its every model’s dream to be on the Vogue magazine’s cover. While the models are not to be blamed, the minds behind the concept are being dragged. The cover featuring nine African models was branded offensive for using lighting that hides their features and makes their skin look darker.

The February 2022 British Vogue Issue celebrates rise of African models and talks those “redrawing the map.” However, people have slammed the cover and the photographer for living up to what they claim to stand for. The Vogue cover was shot by Brazilian photographer Rafael Pavarotti.

A critic accused the Brazilian photographer of catering for the white gaze by ‘fetishizing’ the models and making them look like ‘mannequins’ with identical, extremely dark skin tones. Another twitter user said the cover was ‘offensive’ for failing to showcase the real beauty of black models. Rafael Pavarotti is known for shooting black models in the same fashion, making their skin look ultra-dark.

Edward Enninful was appointed editor in chief of British Vogue taking over from Alexandra Shulman. Enninful who is of Ghanaian origin, styled the photoshoot in question. His appointment came after the publication was criticized for a lack of diversity.

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