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‘All-Black’ Italian Vogue White Hot at the Newsstand
Sell-outs, frenzied search for copies cause Condé to reprint ‘black issue.’


When Italian Vogue announced that its July issue would feature all black models, it caused a relatively major stir in the fashion world. Now that the issue has arrived in the U.S., it seems to be causing a major publishing stir, too.

Historically, the conventional wisdom—and circulation and newsstand wisdom—in consumer publishing has been that putting an African American (model or celebrity) on the cover of a fashion magazine means that it “just won’t sell” well.


Not anymore.

Following a couple weeks of New York newsstand sell-outs (something I experienced first-hand last week at a popular storefront on Spring Street), various reports of frenzied, cross-town searches for copies (this is no small feat, considering the magazine is selling for $16 to $20 per copy) and the accompanying hype, Condé Nast has decided to reprint the issue—10,000 copies polybagged with the tagline “Most Wanted Issue Ever” and “First Reprint” banded across the front.

Undoubtedly, some will accuse the magazine of using black models as a publicity stunt, a marketing gimmick. But the execution of the issue’s editorial proves otherwise. As the Gawker Media blog Jezebel pointed out, “Never has the racism issue looked quite so stunning.”

London’s Telegraph called the issue a “statement against discrimination in the fashion world.” And it is. But there’s clearly a long way to go—and not just among magazine publishers.

Advertising pages were up 30 percent for the July issue, but there was a “glaring lack of black models” in them. Steven Meisel, the photographer for the issue, said: “I’ve asked my advertising clients so many times, 'Can we use a black girl?' They say no. Advertisers say black models don't sell."


Way to go Vouge!

Oh woop-de-flippin-do. stare I don't mean that at anyone, but I'm sick of the BS that keeps repeating.

So Italian Vogue has an issue with just black models. So frickin' what? Not a darn thing will change in the world, and everyone knows it. Things will continue as they always do. There's no point in getting excited over nothing.

I am actually in Italy right now visiting my family. I am in Padua in Northern Italy. I am sure it is really popular here many italian men and women alike go for african people that immigrate here. I know I think black women are beautiful myself. Where can I get my copy!?!

Agreed. 3nodding
I think that was the point the [editor] was trying to make.

Amazon is offering one year of Vogue Italia for $267.22. sweatdrop
I'm sure this is a new subscription, though, and not for back-issues. Looks like you can get the "black model issue" on eBay for around $30. xp

Models display the epitome of human "beauty." Who decides what's "beautiful"?

It is nice to see an issue of black models. I'd love to see different groups of people besides whites being represented as much, so we can be seen for the normal people we are. If this is the only to get a large amount of models exposed then I guess we'll have to shut up and take what we can get as usual.

This is awful, I was so impressed and happy when I first read this thread a while back, but this just makes me feel really bad at the way people look at black beauty.