Vogue Diverse Cover Slammed for Lack of Diversity
Vogue made waves yesterday, when it released its March 2017 "Modern American Woman" issue featuring seven models - Liu Wen, Ashley Graham, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Imaan Hammam, Adwoa Aboah, and Vittoria Ceretti - from different ethnic backgrounds. It also put Ashley, a size-16 model, front and center. While the cover garnered praise for its inclusivity, it faced backlash on social media for not being more inclusive.
According to commenters, one "plus-size" model doesn't make up for the fact that the rest of the women on the cover are around six feet tall and very slim, and that none of the models featured were "darker than a paper bag."
Vogue is "democratizing fashion" by not including a single woman darker than a paper bag in an "inclusive" spread. pic.twitter.com/ein18za44p
- Evette Dionne (@freeblackgirl) February 8, 2017
This Vogue cover..Am I the only one who thinks it's hilarious how they've used basically the same woman just slightly less white
- Charlotte (@charlottewalshe) February 8, 2017
@voguemagazine While they may be different ethnicities, they all have the same facial features & structure so is that even real diversity?
- CarrieH. (@CarrieCnh12) February 8, 2017
The public to vogue: we need diversity!!
Vogue: *gets kendall and gigi again* pic.twitter.com/sGQdpWwqz8- |’sa-n?-tê| (@angelmuxoz) February 8, 2017
Do you think Vogue know that having one 'plus size' model on their books, when the rest are 6ft + and size 4, doesn't make them diverse?
- ?ethan? (@bethanamyc) February 8, 2017
Additionally, commenters took issue with how Ashley was posed for the cover shot. They pointed out that her arm was the only one resting on a thigh, which arguably covers up her torso. Eagle-eyed Twitter users also thought there was something fishy about the placement of Gigi Hadid's arm and hand - a Photoshop tactic they claimed was meant to cover up Ashley's stomach.
Wow, they really made her put her arm down. God forbid we see an actual leg-sized leg on the cover of Vogue. https://t.co/g1KT8vNDB8
- She Persisted ??? (@divaTy) February 8, 2017
so they have ashley graham on the vogue cover but they're hiding her body to make her appear skinnier smh
- pernille (@journalfenty) February 9, 2017
Great concept of the vogue cover hmm...is it me or is Gigi's arm is way too long, fingers looks out of place:/ pic.twitter.com/Aqwr21rxkh
- Sangita Patel (@sangita_patel) February 9, 2017
Woah woah... This #VogueCover ... photoshop gone wrong (Gigi's hand), trying to make Ashely look thinner (only one with hand down) & more pic.twitter.com/BsgDjrPlA8
- Madison Brodsky (@BrodskyMadison) February 8, 2017
Ashley defended Vogue and her pose in the comments on her Instagram post of the cover. "I chose to pose like that,” she wrote. “No one told me to do anything." She also shared two more photos from the inside story, and expressed her gratitude to the publication, saying, "Dream. Come. True!" and "THANK YOU @voguemagazine for having me on your cover!!"
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