Italian Vogue is set to sell an all-black July issue, with no concern for those who may disagree or be upset by the decision. Franca Sozzani is frank in her position of displaying the beauty of black women in her magazine and towards how the issue might fare with buyers:
"Because nobody is using black girls. I see so many beautiful girls and they were complaining that they are not used enough."
Ms Sozzani admitted the issue could yet prove to be unpopular among some in Italy, where the xenophobic Northern League is part of the new coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi: "Maybe in our country it is not the best idea. But I don't care. I think it is not my problem if they don't like it – it's their problem."
You've got to love the sane people who stand when a stand is needed. The cover model is set to be 17 year old Brit, Jourdan Dunn (featured above).
Thanks Gina for the intel.
photo: 
Believe (Black Faerie) Dazjae(C)06
9 comments:
If only American Vogue would be so bold. I find so much beauty in the diversity of women, I hope they take it a step further and display diversity in body shapes as well.
In light and love
Danielle
It might take American Vogue a couple of years to catch up, but as racist at America is they might not want to be left behind.
I think Italian Vogue's move is going to change things is more powerful ways than it might seem (just the vibe I get).
Embracing all forms ideally is hopefully the direction we're heading in.
Shine on SisterStar
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I'm not much a reader of fashion rags, and I never really gave it a thought because they are all boringly the same to me.
I was twelve at the time and most likely jumping on a trampoline or playing soccer, but I didn't know anything about the whole Naomi Campbell/ Niki Taylor double over issue back in 1996.
Zoe, I may check out the issue. But I think many of these magazines are missing the point. They can and should feature and utilize many women of color from India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Cuba, China, Barbados, Brazil, etc. It would be cool to see a truly diverse issue as a opposed to a just an all black issue. But any start will be fine by me.
@Cooper
Peace Coop! Thanks for stopping through. It's been a minute. I loved your 'Am I not human entry'.
I'm not much of a fashion rag chic either, but I can dig the potential of the issue and am interested to see how it's put together.
@Vee
Unfortunately the 'separate and divide' agenda has people and companies thinking more in specifics than in all manner of people of color in one group. I'm hyped nonetheless that there is a black issue. It was a brazen move on Italian Vogue's part, but in general it's something that's long overdue.
I see your point though. It shouldn't be an issue to feature a beautiful women regardless of ethnicity. The point is that women of color should enjoy equal exposure and opportunity.
I don't think this issue is an outright attempt to pacify Naomi and the other models who were activists, but only time will tell.
What we need to be doing as a community is creating media that unifies folks of color instead of depending on the Mainstream to embrace diverse imagery. It's great that this issue is coming out, but our community can move beyond Essence and start introducing media that is still owned by people of color and truly has the interest of celebrating diversity at heart.
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You're not lying. I'm not mad at Essence but we definitely need to move beyond it and have many other alternatives.
I think I'll purchase the issue when its released. THEY BETTER FEATURE NAOMI! I'm still a fan, even though her behavior is less than desirable.
The chic has issues, but Naomi is a fierce model.
Beverly Peele had serious swagger as well. Haven't see her in a minute. Not since the Jodeci video.
You know Essence isn't Black-owned anymore right? It's still aiight but really, the community needs to stop selling off traditional cultural staples, and media outlets that have been built by ancestors that were much fiercer fighters than us. It's disrespectful, and foolish.
Shine on
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i loved that black issue.
people wanna c diversity-they wanna c black, white, fat, slimm... and not :all the time the same" finaly-something is happening
Peace Ryder ^_^
Thanks for stopping through.
We definitely need more diversity. The homogenized industry needs to check itself. It's been a little too boring for a little too long...
Shine on
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