Vogue Paris Controversy
mardi 20 octobre 2009 
Thus far I have avoided voicing my opinion on the latest Vogue Paris controversy: are the images of Lara Stone in the October 2009 issue of Vogue Paris racist? My opinion is absolutely not, what a ridiculous notion. I had thought it best not to add to the controversy but this is a forum for discussing all things Roitfeldesque and so I will open the topic for discussion. I think that LegBaby on Fashion Spot said it best:
"I was really amazed by how this racism thing blew up everywhere. I don't find it racist at all really, but I guess everyone here is a fashion fan so we see editorials in a completely different light. When it comes down to it I wonder if anyone would be complaining half as much if it was a 'high' art thing rather than fashion related—it just seems like with fashion nobody's willing to look for a message or a meaning, it obviously just has to be some kind of horrible, superficial, cold hearted stab at a minority. It doesn't matter that VP is essentially quite a niche magazine for a niche crowd who generally would understand what the editors are trying to go for—if it's fashion it's apparently shallow, and some kind of attempt to brainwash the masses into seeing the world in the warped, materialistic way that the fashion crowd are supposed to see it. I mean, really, people should just think about things before they cry wolf. Rant over, sorry."
What do you think of this editorial?
Vogue Paris editorial image © 2009 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.
Lara Stone in "Lara" editorial for Vogue Paris October 2009 courtesy of diorettescans.blogspot.com
kellina
I think we have missed the point: was Carine Roitfeld's intention in conceiving and styling this editorial racist?
First, I present the definition of racism:
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Now, I seek your opinion—was Carine's intention in this editorial racist? Or was it perhaps a whimsical exploration of pigments and she thought that some of the clothes were accented beautifully when a copper tint was rubbed into Lara's skin? Or just as she thought it was wild to dye Lara's hair brown last month for the cover, she then decided to make her skin brown for the November issue. As a brunette, should I be offended by the cover of the September issue? No, this is ridiculous. (Also she reminds me of Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much.)
Carine Roitfeld in Fashion, Lara Stone, Vogue Paris
Reader Comments (9)
1) Well, Lara Stone is "blackface" then "whiteface". That's it.
On "blackface", see :
Michael Rogin, "Blackface, White Noise", Berkeley, UC Press, 1996.
On afro-images and fashion, see the article by the activist Angela Davis:
http://criticalinquiry.uchicago.edu/issues/v21/v21n1.davis.html
2) The under-employment of black models by the Fashion Industry which is not glamorous and social at all, is well documented by C. Horyn on:
http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/beauty-and-soul/
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/fashion/19BLACK.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Best
A.
Well, all I have to say is - I didn't think Lara's breasts were that big !
I forgot one thing :
C. Roitfeld was probably the first to put on a cover of Vogue a Black as André J. (Bruce Weber, "Love Me or Leave Me", French Vogue, November 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_J.
Best - again !
A.
What is this editorial about ? It does not mean anything. It is not articulate
I first wondered what the point of this editorial could possibly be. Then I concluded that the whole thing was just a ploy for some attention and to purposely cause a reaction. Just pushing people's buttons.
It's not racist.
it's a tribute to lara stone's beauty, which transcends skin colour.
the meaning of this editorial: lara would be beautiful in any skin colour, and to me that is anti-racist if anything.
Jacnotblogging, thank you for voicing your opinion! I think you expressed the truth beautifully. I hope to hear more comments from you in the future.
It is not racist, it is an expression of creativity and beauty. The entire issue featured Ms. Stone as the only model.
Right on, Kate! I couldn't agree more. Thank you so much for your comment.