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Shining Star - Liya Kebede by Tesh -

smryna — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:09:25 -0700

Quest and Admiration: Vogue Italia "The Black Issue"

ellabeepr — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:47:09 -0700

not in the issue but an old picture of Naomi- thats why there can only only be 1Black is the new…well-Black.

In fashion, we are always looking for the next big trend or idea. We continue to search for what’s in and what’s out. Who’s wearing what by whom? It’s all about being new and innovative. Thought-provoking and sometimes playful. If you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to receive your monthly fashion bible to know what’s going on in and behind the scenes in the fashion industry. Some may flock to other magazines but my fashion handbook is Vogue. I love Vogue for its creativity and beautiful spreads month after month. This is a publication where fashion truly meets art and luxury. Every story is carefully arranged and articulated to bring a new manner of portraying pieces of a designer’s collections and ideas. When I can’t get enough from the magazine, I stay up-to-date online through sites like FabSugar-of course.

I begin staring at my July issue of Vogue with Nicole Kidman on the cover. I already knew it was going to be a fulfilling issue just as others that have featured Kidman on the cover. I go through this issue carefully studying the articles and editorials and then I am caught off guard by a beautiful spread featuring Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, and Arlenis Sosa posing the question, “Is Fashion Racist?” Vicki Woods tackles this issue on the lack of diversity on the runways. This one I am sure is bound to cause a frenzy of responses.

Impressed by the article and finally done with the issue, I continue with my daily fix of fashion by going online. I notice a link discussing the July issue of Italian Vogue a.k.a. The Black Issue. What is this? Headlines read: July 2008 issue of Italian Vogue will feature exclusively black models for the entire issue. Not only is this exciting but historical. “This idea came about as a reaction to the models of today,” says editor of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani. “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.”

I immediately start my quest to get my hands on a copy of this Black Vogue. Is it a myth? Would a magazine be so bold as to only feature black models? This can’t be true…GASP-it is!

I waited weeks and weeks. Vogue Italia had yet to hit newsstands in the United States. I have to purchase a copy on e-Bay. It didn’t matter, as long as I get a hold of a copy.

More days go by. I was so excited to finally receive my copy. When reports first came out about the Black Vogue, there was a mystery on who would be on the cover. I wanted my favorite model Liya Kebede who is on the original copy, but there is a four-page spread that allow for different covers. I have a reprint with Naomi on the cover. I torn the package open and was going through the issue before I could even walk in the house from the mailbox. The cost totaled $15.95 compared to American Vogue $3.99, but worth every penny.

Four-Pages of the Cover

Black is Beautiful

As I flip through the first couple of pages, I was disappointed with the advertisements and society pages which featured mainly white models, but it's Italia, it was expected. Nothing anyone can do about the advertisements, maybe this issue will persuade advertisers to use more black models. There were some ads that featured Black models like Naomi Campbell for Pinko and Yamamay-which are not enough but a start.

Even though the articles were in Italian (duh) I was able to translate the messages on a beginner’s level. I appreciated the piece on Yves St. Laurent who used Iman as his muse back in the day and featured black models in his shows. He was a true innovator, a legend. He will be missed.
Yves St. Laurent with Black Muse

I loved the feature articles on Spike Lee's new film and the feature promoting HBO's The Black List. I appreciated how Vogue Italia recognized magazines that always feature Black models such as Essence and Ebony.

The format was different than what I'm use to with American Vogue, but I loved this section titled "you have a go-see" How amazing that such young models who are trying to make a name for themselves in the industry are featured with their portfolio and measurements. It was a great way for them to promote their careers. Lily Taylor was my favorite.

A lot of the spreads were truly mesmerizing. If only American Vogue could offer such stunning and breathtaking imagery of Black models such as the spreads in Vogue Italia. The beauty shoot by Dusan Reljin was fierce. The spread, Modern Luxe by Steven Meisel featuring Alek Wek, Sessilee Lopez, and Veronica Webb left a lasting impression. Each model gave a distinctive gaze and really brought out the appeal from the clothing. Some models I recognized, others I didn’t. They all looked wonderful. Liya and Veronica Webb rocked it. Iman! Can she be any classier? I love her. Not a big fan of Chanel Iman, but she definitely left her mark.

This issue left no stone-or should I say model unrevealed.

A 15-page spread featuring the ever so alluring Naomi Campbell was so provocative. She shows no signs of slowing down.
The issue even took a trip down memory lane as it highlighted the career of Donyale Luna, the first Black supermodel. It goes on to feature Carol La Brie and Pat Cleveland. If you don’t know who these ladies are, look them up. They are definitely worth the research.

I can go on and on about July 2008’s issue of Vogue Italia-, but I’ll save some for you to discover. Find a copy of this memorable issue; it will go down as a collector’s item.

Model Mogul

Met Madness

juicybabe527 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:57:47 -0700

MARC JACOBS on who will be attending:
"Madonna . . . Victoria Beckham . . . I'm trying to think, now I can't remember! Anne Hathaway . . . Winona [Ryder] . . . Rachel Feinstein, John Currin . . . and Rihanna!"

COCO ROCHA on getting ready:
"The Met Ball is Monday and I'm terribly nervous. But I think I will be alright because I've got Issac Mizrahi to take care of me. I'm going to his studio tomorrow to finalize what dress I'll be wearing and then I'm off to Fekkai's Salon to see what we can do with hair for the special night. Who knew so much effort was put into looking good for one evening!! That's alright what girl wouldn't like to be Cinderella for the night?!"

THE ATTENDEES: Full list of the A-listers who will be there thus far

Alexander Wang: Lara Stone
Allure: Leslie Mann, Anna Friel
Badgley Mischka: Tyra Banks
Bally: Rachel Bilson
Brian Reyes: Ivanka Trump
Burberry: Twiggy, Agyness Deyn
Calvin Klein: Brooke Shields, Eva Mendes, Halle Berry
Chanel: Edita Vilkeviciute, Diane Kruger, Kirsten Dunst
Christian Dior: Gisele Bundchen, Marion Cotillard
Derek Lam: Liya Kebede, Brooklyn Decker
Diane von Furstenberg: Rosario Dawson
Dolce & Gabbana: Eva Herzigova
DSquared2: Carol Alt
Emilio Pucci: Ciara
Estee Lauder: Hilary Rhoda (rumored to be wearing Thakoon), Elizabeth Hurley
Givenchy: Mariacarla Boscono, Adriana Lima (but may not be able to attend)
Isaac Mizrahi: Coco Rocha
Jason Wu: Jessica Alba
J.Mendel: Heidi Klum
Lancome: Arlenis Sosa Pena, Daria Werbowy
Louis Vuitton: Madonna, Kerry Washington
Marc Jacobs: Kate Moss, Anne Hathaway
Michael Kors: Lauren Hutton
Narciso Rodriguez: Lily Donaldson
Peter Som: Anne Vyalitsyna
Rachel Roy: Lakshmi Menon, Joy Bryant
Richard Chai: Karolina Kurkova
Rodarte: Jessica Stam
Stella McCartney: Liv Tyler, Kate Bosworth
Versace: Cindy Crawford
William Rast: Jessica Biel
Zac Posen: Helena Christensen

Also attending:
Natalia Vodianova, Claudia Schiffer, Isabeli Fontana, Chanel Iman, Natasha Poly, Raquel Zimmermann, Sasha Pivovarova, Jourdan Dunn, Caroline Trentini, Carolyn Murphy, Hana Soukupova, Anja Rubik, Anna Maria Jagodzinska, Magdalena Frackowiak, Iman, Karlie Kloss, Kate Beckinsale, Marisa Tomei, Paulina Porizkova, Molly Sims, Amanda Peet, Bar Refaeli.

xoxo,
juicybabemichagiev

Love it or hate it - Liya Kebede

Jen Erate — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:51:45 -0800

Liya Kebede does Vogue-sept 09

kty — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:10:39 -0700

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Liya Kebede does Vogue Nippon-feb 09

kty — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:37:54 -0700

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Liya Kebede does Harper's Bazaar

kty — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:06:24 -0700

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Liya Kebede: Yay or Nay?

DecemberBaby — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:56:35 -0800

Various Models for Vogue-sept 09

kty — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:16:35 -0700

the models are:anna maria jagodzinska,caroline trentini,coco rocha,isabeli fontana,jourdan dunn,karlie kloss,lily donaldson,liya kebede,natasha poly,raquel zimmerman,sasha pivovarova and daria werbowy

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In The Mood Editorial for Vogue-sept 09

kty — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:18:38 -0700

the models are:viktoria sasonkina,sasha pivovarova,coco rocha,karen elson and liya kebede

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