Style
Aminata Niaria, Georgie Badiel & Ajak Deng feature in “The Black Allure” styled by Edward Enninful for the February 2011 Issue of Vogue Italia
What did we say about 2011 being “The Year of the African Model”, well…so far, so good!
Vogue Italia has made a strong statement over the last few years with their mandate to promote diversity in the fashion industry.
From their groundbreaking “Black Issue” which landed on newsstands in 2008 to their website Vogue Black – www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black.
The effort continues in the February 2011 issue of the magazine.
The editorial you are about to see is beyond stunning and totally glamorous. Shot by Emma Summerton and styled by Ghanaian born/UK Based stylist – Edward Enninful, “The Black Allure” is a tribute to the Harlem Renaissance – we see standout runway pieces including recent red carpet picks by Versace (January Jones – Golden Globes), Louis Vuitton (Leighton Meester – Art Of Elysium “Heaven” Gala) and Jil Sander (Drew Barrymore – Cover Girl launch).
The selection of models is outstanding – African girls – Ajak Deng, Aminata Niaria and Georgie Badiel alongside Chanel Iman, Arlenis Sosa, Jourdan Dunn, Melodie Monrose, Lais Ribeiro, Rose Cordero, Sessilee Lopez and Joan Smalls. Our only qualms is the cigarettes! We know they are reminiscent of the era but to us, smoking is never glam! Anyway – totally gorgeous editorial.
Behind the Scenes Videos from “The Black Allure” Shoot
Photo Credit: Beauty Is Diverse | Z Fashion Blog
samsie
February 5, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Beautifully breathtakingm
Anya
February 9, 2011 at 4:12 pm
FINE! FINE! FINE!
Chanel Iman’s versatility in photographs never ceases to amaze me.
So much fabulousness in these shots, from the hair to the make-up and accessories. These shots definitely showcase the black allure.
French Niara
February 5, 2011 at 9:01 pm
first to comment
Ready
February 5, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Not. When will we learn?
THE AMAKA
February 6, 2011 at 12:26 am
LOL…not quite.
sisi
February 5, 2011 at 9:23 pm
wow these pieces r beyond beautiful, creative, awsome…wow
i loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
amber rose
February 5, 2011 at 9:23 pm
the 5th and the 8th pics are my best. i love black n whites. nice outfits. sizzling shoot. the creative director did a good job
Brittle Paper
February 5, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Wow. Wow. Wow. As in, I no fit shout! Carry go.
sisiekomi
February 5, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Awesome styling!
http://www.sisiekomi.blogspot.com
belladash
February 5, 2011 at 10:52 pm
love dis,so Fab…
Sia
February 5, 2011 at 11:05 pm
This smoking in photoshoots are so played out. I’m so happy for our African models…Now we need a Nigerian model to take the industry by storm.
THE AMAKA
February 6, 2011 at 12:30 am
i feel it…but (here comes the ‘but’ lol)
everything about it seems super eurocentric and the models have that typical “white man’s idea of black beauty in the modelling industry”
thats not to say they aren’t beautiful, but its way too stereotypical of what black/african models should look like in the western fashion scene.
remember, you don’t have to agree with me, i’m airling my OPINION.
thank you.
asanwam
February 6, 2011 at 5:29 pm
I totally agree with you, FACT is fashion industry is still racist, talking as an insider, people’s idea of a black model is actually a white model dipped in chocolate never the less i can’t fault the pictures, exquisite work.
THE AMAKA
February 7, 2011 at 2:32 am
i was going to say the same thing, but i thought BN readers would attack me for it. lol
“white girls dipped in chocolate” is exactly what it is.
Seiko aka: "Mo sparkles"
February 7, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@ The Amaka, i agree with you all the way. As it is, what the modelling industry wants esp Vogue italia, is a “white girl Dipped in Chocolate” and these girls, look and fit the part.Not until there is a Black “Franca sozzani”, in Vogue, things will be the same
viv
February 6, 2011 at 1:17 am
simply beutiful and esquisite
jenifa
February 6, 2011 at 3:56 am
this is what we define as creative photography…outstanding!
Omoshilombu
February 6, 2011 at 12:10 pm
i gree with u jo amaka..
Chiangel
February 6, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Nice but where is Bunmi?
tj
February 6, 2011 at 9:29 pm
nice pics…but whats up with the ciggarettes…..
myne Whitman
February 7, 2011 at 3:38 am
Black allure? I can’t fault the creativity and photography by the models look too anorexic to be alluring to me. Just me sha..
Lil miss sunshine
February 7, 2011 at 11:35 am
Creative , playful and fresh. except for the smoking concept getting too old.
thickmadame
February 7, 2011 at 6:12 pm
they wur going for the mo’town scenery wit the pin up look n cigarettes i guess, and about the ‘white girls dipped in chocolate’ hilarious but true. african girls get breast, curves n all the only thing african about these gorgeous gals r their nose n high cheek bone….but the photography is outta dis world…kudos
Rachel Kitonyo
February 9, 2011 at 6:09 pm
they definitely need to get rid of the cigarettes – if they continue smoking they will not look as beautiful as they do now ina few years when they strat dying of lung cancer and all the other illnesses smoking brings!
Miss ATL
February 9, 2011 at 6:44 pm
STUNNING PICTURES!
Hali
February 10, 2011 at 10:48 am
yay! Just got a copy of the Italian vogue for Feb! Pictures are at the very end though…
Neighbor
February 10, 2011 at 3:52 pm
If this doesn’t prove there is racism in the fashion industry, I don’t know what will.
THE AMAKA
February 11, 2011 at 5:44 am
GBAM!!!