The Black Issue

[Adrianna]

While browsing the various fashion blogs i read...i came across this :

This is the cover of Vogue Italia titled as "The Black Issue". It is the first issue of its kind that features all black models such as Liya Kebede, Naomi Campbell, Sessilee Lopez and Jourdan Dunn.
Honestly im conflicted on how I feel ab this. I do like how it appreciates black beauty
in an industry that features pages of pages of the same types of white bitches. On the other hand is this just another way to divide people rather than bring people together? I dont know how to call it...it makes me happy to see a magazine take a progressive step into broadening the spectrum of what is beautiful but i'm not sure if this is just exploitation & just an issue that was done to say to the critics/readers that we(fashion industry) are not not racist we did a black issue..idk i'm curious to hear what yall have to say ab this!

[jahluv]

http://unvogue.com/ - Black owned fashion magazine that lives on the 'net only. So hipsterific it made my head spin, but I'm sure a lot of the younger AP folks will like it. Check it...

[LesYpersound]

^^^ seems like a joke........... looks like a lot of hardwork too.

[lyfenlyn]

Nadia C said:

Maybe i'm just jealous but...Black people who are shown in the media always seem to represent some sort of demigod version of blackness. Like, its all just "the beautiful people" syndrome. Do they really represent your average black person? Eh. Not so much, in *my* opinion, at least. It's sort of like seeing all of these beautiful white people in the media, and then looking at all of these white people on my city block who'd be considered very average, if that(Although, for racial reasons, they'd still be held above everyone else).

I find that the presence of black people in the mainstream/media can be just as detrimental, as the *lack of our presence in the mainstream/media, in certain cases.

Especially modeling and such.

Call me crazy, but most modeling (I'm a fashion designer, but not *that* kind of fashion designer) seems like some sort of multicultural, modern-day version of eugenics(Most of the American entertainment industry seems like this). It's just another stereotype we're all suppose to live up to.

Like that magazine above in that post.

You have a "beautiful person" of every race that represents this multi culti perfection that all people are suppose to attain and not rest until they do.

You have the Asian chick, the white chick, the red head, the black chick, and the Hispanic/Italian-looking chick. All stuff we've seen before. All stereotyped images and ideas. No real individuality there.

It's just a naked BENETTON AD!

[BaJa [Jah for short]]

In my opinion, this is far from taking a progressive step. If anything, this is a remix of an age old issue that the people of the African Dispora have been plagued with since the intervention of Westernized Eurocentric ideology and its invidious comparisons.

It is all propaganda and must not be taken for face value because there is an ulterior motive/hidden agenda that always results in someone's detriment, usually the misinformed and the socially, culturally, mentally and spiritually disenfranchised. The multitude of mass media forms propagate opinion and without a sound foundation and knowledge of self, one may be susceptible to embracing another's opinion as fact.

Beauty is subjective and in my opinion, should not be restricted to standardization. Once beauty is standardized, you must explore who established that standard. Do the knowledge and asses through inquiry. Ask:

Who set the standard of what is considered aesthetically beautiful and appealing?
What is the criteria of beauty and appeal?
Do their standards of attractiveness over-ride my own standards?

The questions are never-ending.

But it is more than likely "to be expected" within the fashion "industry" to have these STANDARDS and some level of STANDARDIZATION running amuck, inundating the masses with psychologically downloadable style programs for people to apply to their style-less lives so that they can finally be classified by a social title and be accepted.

Hold up the peace sign, put the index down!

Bless up AP!
BaJa

[Darkness Unlimited*]

Oh SCREW Vogue. It's just a dumb fashion magazine. Who cares?

[Gullah*Gotham*Glitter]

I don't think its exploitation at all. I think issues like this are great, it gives young women of African descent something to look up to. I do however think its sad that there even has to be an issue set aside for people of African descent. Every issue should have enough Africans in it that an issue dedicated to Africans would be unnecessary

[Rhinos Have More Fun]

Hell yeah--the day that I saw "Black Girls Rule" on the cover, I knew that magazine was the shit!! hahaha

[jahluv]

You can download a free copy of it "here" <----PDF file 23.4MB

Jervon said:

Um... Is there a way to get a back issue of that True Beauty one?

I need it for.. research....

[Dumeha Vernice]

I must say I get annoyed when I see this. The assembly of black and brown women done up to mimic what is classified as beautiful from another perspective. The straightend hair the make-up application etc. I am more interested in what is beautiful from our perspective and the infinite exploration and discovery of that. As for Trace's Black Girls Rule issues ... um...in my observation it is an extension of exoticism black and brown women and their beauty rather than viewing/experiencing it from a place of their own empowerment. Also, the black women who really rule - those who run businesses (their own), raise children, are lead vocals of a kick ass band, compose and produce their art, and connect communities are rarely if not ever featured. They do not have ad space, coverage or honorable mention in these publications. If it all based on the aesthetic appearance, then what is being referenced is how these women - black - rule regarding the arousal of men.

[SincereJustice]

That's real, man. Economically speaking, folks of color hardly have the same generational wealth in comparison to White folks. (See Lipsitz' Possessive Investment in Whiteness)

Also, what does it really mean to be black?



jahluv said:

Instead of "taking what we can get" or getting happy about one issue - support a fashion magazine that is Black owned and has writers of color talking about things that are important to the African diaspora...

Trace Magazine - on the scene since 1996
Editor Claude Grunitzky

http://www.trace212.com/

[Dj Complex]

I don't think they meant any harm....but If haven't heard the word....(its not the bird contrary to popular belief) being black is cool over seas.....Obamas presidency has opened lots of peoples eyes all over the world to the fact that....black people are the shit....

[SincereJustice]

Indeed!

Dj Complex said:

I don't think they meant any harm....but If haven't heard the word....(its not the bird contrary to popular belief) being black is cool over seas.....Obamas presidency has opened lots of peoples eyes all over the world to the fact that....black people are the shit....