Black Beauty Causing Global Phenomenon
As some of you know, I’m African American, so, of course, I’m luvin’ this story.
In the world of fashion magazines, a black model on the cover of the publication is is a rare occurrence. The justification for this disparity is often that issues with black cover models don’t sell.
This month, however, the so-called “black” issue of Italian Vogue has proven that theory to be at least somewhat flawed.
As reported by UK news source The Guardian, in the past four weeks, the issue has caused such a phenomenal demand at news-stands in Britain and the United States that Condé Nast, the publisher, has rushed to reprint and distribute 40,000 more copies.
The July ‘black issue’ sold out in Britain on arrival. Borders bookstores in the country have reported that demand was up 654% from the previous issue.
“It has been unprecedented, a sensation, although that wasn’t the aim,” said Jonathan Newhouse, chairman of Condé Nast International. Here in the States, the issue is shrink-wrapped and stickered with the words “First Reprint. The Most Wanted Issue Ever.”
“There is a climate shift. This is the year of the presidential election. And this at a time when magazine sales are really hurting.”
The issue isn’t new for Hunt, who wrote a piece about the absence of black models a year ago which was generally met with silence from the industry. Now, she says, everyone is eager to quote the article.
I gotta try to get my ass to Europe asap. See people, this is why I wanted to go visit. I wasn’t planning on getting laid, I was planning on getting LAID - all caps. Hehe.
