Kamala Harris’s Vogue cover is causing a stir online

Written by Oscar Holland, CNN

Contributors Jasmine Wright, CNN

Kamala Harris’s upcoming appearance in American Vogue has drawn criticism for being comfortable and ‘rinsed out, “with the elected vice president’s team blinded by the magazine’s cover selection.

The heated debate, which shows Harris in a black jacket and Converse sneakers, was not the one she would jog in front of the print edition. A source familiar with discussions said Harris’ team believes she will pose in a light blue suit against a golden backdrop.

A apparently leaked copy of the cover of the February issue, shot in front of a pink and green background, began circulating online on Sunday. The photo immediately sparked outrage on social media because it was poorly lit and styled, while others suggested it ‘disrespectful“to the elected vice-president.
Some Twitter users even ask if the image is fake, Vogue confirmed it as genuine – but added the confusion by revealing a second “digital” cover showing Harris in a powder blue Michael Kors suit against a golden background. CNN’s source said Harris’ team expected this outfit to be used as the main cover photo, with the more comfortable clothing in the magazine. The same source said that the Harris team had asked for a new cover, although the print version of the magazine started printing in mid-December.
Vogue unveils a second

Vogue unveils a second “digital” cover with Harris in a blue suit. Credit: Tyler Mitchell / Vogue

A Vogue spokesman did not comment on the discussions between the magazine and the elected vice president’s team, but said in an email that Vogue ‘likes many of the images that Tyler Mitchell shot and felt that the more informal image the elected, accessible nature of the Vice President Harris – which we believe is one of the hallmarks of the Biden / Harris administration.

“In response to the seriousness of this moment in history, and the role she must play in leading our country forward, we both celebrate images of her as a cover digitally.”

Both photos were taken by Tyler Mitchell, who became famous as the first black photographer to shoot an American Vogue cover when he captured Beyoncé for the magazine’s September 2018 issue. Mitchell posted just one of the covers on Instagram – the one from Harris in a blue suit. Mitchell did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

A ‘washed out mess’

Vogue explained the influences behind the cover, saying that the apple green and salmon pink background were inspired by the colors of the Alpha Kappa Alpha of Howard University, the ‘first historic African-American women’s care’. An accompanying article states that Mitchell wanted to honor ‘Harris’s university days and the powerful women who belong to the ranks of sororities such as Alpha Kappa Alpha’. ‘

The article also said that the elected vice president’s style choice was ‘her own’, and that the image ‘reflects Harris at her most comfortable’.

The cover of Vogue's February 2021 issue.

The cover of Vogue’s February 2021 issue. Credit: Tyler Mitchell / Vogue

But critics said the images made her skin look ‘washed out’ and that it did not fit in with Vogue’s glamorous aesthetics. Playwright and lawyer Wajahat Ali describe it’s a mess, adding that Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour “may not have black friends and colleagues.”
Not everyone was so dismissive of the casual style. “People are arguing about the photo chosen for VP Harris’ Vogue cover, but here’s what’s important: she looks good, she’s honored, and the cover drives Trump and Melania nuts,” tweeted novelist Paul Rudnick, an apparent reference to the outgoing president’s complaint that his wife is yet to appear on the cover of a major fashion magazine as a first lady.
Meanwhile, the biggest critic of the Washington Post, Robin Givhan, wrote that “there is nothing inherently wrong with this picture,” but that Vogue robbed Harris of her roses by choosing the more informal picture as the cover.

“A little awe would have served the magazine well in its cover decisions. Nothing on the cover said ‘Wow’. And sometimes that’s all black women want, an admiring and festive ‘wow’ about what they’re achieving has. ‘

The debate comes just over a week before Harris is inaugurated as the first female and first black and South Asian vice president. In an accompanying in-depth profile, published online by Vogue on Sunday, Harris recalls the moment the election was called and her subsequent victory speech. She also talks about climate change and advocates for racial justice.

Related video: Naomi Campbell on diversity in fashion

“I always say this: I may be the first to do a lot of things – make sure I’m not the last,” Harris told journalist Alexis Okeowo. ‘I thought of my baby nieces, who would only know one world where a woman is vice president of the United States, a woman of color, a black woman, a woman with parents living outside the United States was born. ‘

Elsewhere in the interview, she reiterated that Covid-19 would be the first priority of the Biden-Harris administration during the first 100 days.

“The first approach should be to gain control of this pandemic,” she is quoted as saying.

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