Steven Meisel shot an editorial for the March issue of Vogue Italia called “Haute Mess” that can be argued as racist. The spread features popular models Joan Smalls, Jessica Stam, Karen Elson, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Lindsey Wixson, Daphne Groeneveld, Guinevere van Seenus and Coco Rocha dressed in colorful clothes, crazy up-do’s and weaves, extravagant nails and even wearing gold teeth. Oddly enough restaurants and bathrooms were chosen as the background of the shoot. Even more bazaar, one model is pregnant and the other models have infants with them [dolls of course]. Many are raising an eyebrow at the photos because the women seem to be projecting some stereotypes. For example the hair styles of the models can be seen at almost every black hair show. It is very clear that the theme of the shoot was “ghetto”, “ghetto fabulous” to be exact. However, in trying to achieve fabulous, it wandered in to ignorance.
I will give Vogue Italia the benefit of the doubt that it was not their intention to be racist or offend anyone, but let’s keep it real for a minute: How many white girls [or any other ethnic backgrounds for that matter] do you know that dress or look like this? Exactly. Racist may be a little harsh of a word to describe this editorial , but it was definitely done in poor taste and judgement. Fashion is about being creative, pushing boundaries, and being expressive. Steven Meisel and Vogue Italia failed miserably at achieving these goals. Instead of being creative, they simple took certain elements they’ve seen in a culture and tried to manipulate it into high fashion. There was nothing innovative or impressive about this spread. The name says it all “Haute Mess“, that’s about all this was.
Check out the photos from the editorial and let me know what you think.
Natles [aka Natalie Nicole], everythingYNTK for VIBEVixen.com
Natles | @natnatles on twitter
Natles | ilovenatles on tumblr
March 31st, 2012 | 12:37 am
[...] of ignorance– with a spot of brilliance, to be honest“. I was reading on another blog Vibe and he gave his opinion on the editorial “I will give Vogue Italia the benefit of the [...]
March 9th, 2012 | 1:52 am
Great observations. Unfortunately this is how some people perceive African-Americans, but what they fail to realize that even though some black women may dress similar to these styles, it is such small percentage that do. There are many more beautiful and various looks and styles that black women can and do put out there in the world.
March 8th, 2012 | 7:57 pm
They are clearly drawing from stereotypes that they feel identify with black culture. Why the gold teeth? One is pregnant in a McDonalds..another changing a “brown” baby in a bathroom. All hairstyles very similar (minus the extreme exaggeration)to something you’d find in Upscale or Black hair a few years back or even now at some hair shows. The one thing that I love about us though, is that we DGAF about how other ethnicities perceive us, we still do what we want. Kills me that certain people think that they decide what’s fashionable for everyone. Keep checking for us Vogue Italia, we sure as h*ll aren’t checking for you.