Critics of a recent cover of Vogue Thailand featuring a toned-down Naomi Campbell should understand it was artistic license, not racist white-wash.
Thai Managing Editor Kulwit ‘Ford’ Laosuksri responded yesterday to outrage about changes made to the magazine’s cover, which featured a lighter-skinned, blue-eyed Campbell with a narrower nose.
“The photos are in pastel tone to follow the theme: Glamour Hollywood in 1960s,” he said. “We never intended to spark a race issue. And Naomi wore contact lens to the photo shoot. How could I tell the world’s top model to take off her contacts?”
The Western media blasted the changes made to her skin color and blamed it on those silly Asians and their obsession with whitening.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”25941″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”700″,”style”:”display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;”,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”552″}}]]
Ford explained the magazine chose pastel tones to create a retro-’60s Prada look. All the tones are softened including her skin. People saw the cover photo and jumped to the conclusion that it disrespected the model’s race, an accusation rejected by the magazine, Prachachart reported.
While the issue just hit the rack today, the unofficial cover photo was previously released on the personal facebook of Polish photographer Marcin Tyszka, who photographed Naomi in Paris for the shoot.
The photographer said he chose the lighting and makeup on her flawless skin to execute his concept. As for the controversial blue eyes, Ford claims Naomi wore her contacts to the photo shoot.
By their industry’s nature, fashion models are meant to be chameleons and often change their appearance to fit the visions of designers and artists. While many claim this cover doesn’t reflect her natural beauty, the legendary Naomi herself has reportedly seen the photo set and loved it.
Of course, for many people, any such modification raises questions and concerns about the intent, and Vogue Thailand’s explanation will likely do little to change their minds. Nor is it the first time creative imperatives have run up against the sensitivities of the real world.
After all, this image wasn’t the first to modify Campbell’s skin color. The model has been spotted in a few editorial images as seen below.
From VOGUE Russia, April 2010
Dennis Basso, Fall ‘09 campaign
YAY or NAY? Tell us what you think about the cover in the comment section below.
Photos: VOGUE Thailand, Jnelj, Pretty Coveted
Reader Interactions