Ethnic Cover Models

In reaction to the lack of ethnic models on the catwalk, Vogue Italia will feature black models almost exclusively in the July issue. For context, Vogue is often regarded as the most influential fashion magazine in the world.

'“This idea came about as a reaction to the models of today,” Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia's editor, was quoted as saying in a phone interview: '“I go to a fashion show and every girl is blond and blue-eyed and they all walk the same and look the same...I thought we needed to break away from this type of thing...there are so many beautiful black women not being used.“'

Sozzani also said that she felt the time was right for an all-black issue now that Barack Obama has become the first black presidential nominee of the United States. The topics in the July issue which comes out next week, will feature a wide range of black women of all ages in the arts and entertainment spheres and will include actors, models and singers such as Naomi Campbell, Tina Turner, Jody Watley and Iman.

Sozzani said that some editors might argue that black faces don't sell at the newsstand.'"But we sell the same amount if we have Naomi Campbell on the cover,”' she said. The lack of ethnic models in magazines and on catwalks has long sparked international criticism.

Months of speculation as to who would be on the cover of the magazine to be shot by Steven Meisel have finally being put to rest. Ethiopian model Liya Kebede got the top spot on the fold out cover followed by Philadelphia-born Seseelee Lopez, then 17 year old British modeling sensation Jourdan Dunn and finally veteran Naomi Campbell.