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French Vogue 'Black Face' Sparks Row

October edition triggers debate on racism

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 14, 2009 2:35 AM CDT

(Newser) – A Dutch model painted black from face to toe in French Vogue has triggered angry charges of racism. The photos of model Lara Stone, taken by US photographer Steven Klein, are part of the magazine's October issue honoring models and photo shoots through history. What French Vogue and the photographer "should know is that painting white people black for the entertainment of other white people is offensive," notes a comment in Jezebel.

Another reader complains that painting a Dutch model "to look African was like a terrible peek into a disgusting colonial attitude, and frankly, made me sick." Others wondered the mag didn't use a black woman. One notes: "Um, Paris Vogue? This isn't what we meant when we said we wanted to see more women of color in fashion magazines."

Model Lara Stone attends an event celebrating 90 years of Vogue covers at Hotel Crillon in Paris earlier this month.
Model Lara Stone attends an event celebrating 90 years of Vogue covers at Hotel Crillon in Paris earlier this month.   (Getty Images)
Model Lara Stone as she appears in the October issue of French Vogue.
Model Lara Stone as she appears in the October issue of French Vogue.   (French Vogue)
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Did people not get the memo? Blackface is not cool, edgy, smart, post-racial/post-modern. - nyc-caribbean in Jezebel

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
SilenceDogood
Oct 14, 2009 11:05 AM CDT
I agree, the hyperbole regarding all things race and racist is ludicrous.
Jes
Oct 14, 2009 9:14 AM CDT
You really took on everything I needed to say, Evji, good show. The article quoted someone as saying the model was painted to look African? No, no she wasn't. She was painted the /color/ black, not dressed up to look of African descent. It isn't a shade of skin tone at all, it's pitch black. If she was painted scarlet would people be getting their panties in bunch for Native Americans? How about a bright sunny yellow to tick off Asians? No, because it's stupid to consider all spectrums and shades of a color off limits for political correctness.
opheliaglass
Oct 14, 2009 8:56 AM CDT
It's pretty, not quirky or racist. This is just good craft. Rather interesting.

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