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Gigi Hadid Apologizes For Controversial Vogue Italia Cover

Vogue Italia unveiled its May 2018 cover last week on Instagram, starring Gigi Hadid, and it didn’t go over so well with fans. Upon its upload, the Steven Klein-lensed cover, which features the Palestinian-American model wearing Dolce and Gabbana, sparked immediate backlash from fans who were quick to point out the apparent heavy-editing of the photo, stating that Hadid didn’t even look like herself. Many accused Hadid and the magazine for blackface (when a non-black performer darkens their skin to play a black role) due to how heavily bronzed she looked.

One user on Instagram wrote “This is borderline black face taking into consideration how light ur skin really is. kinda sad not ur best [sic]” Others pointed out a wrong casting choice and the lack of representation in the industry. “Why hire a black model when we can paint Gigi’s complete body and face to look like one…” wrote another fan.

Responding to the backlash, Hadid took to Twitter to apologize and address the situation, stating that she had no control over the creative direction of the cover shoot. “Please understand that my control of a shoot 1. is non existent in terms of creative direction 2. ends completely when I leave set, and anything done to a photo in post is out of my control fully,” she wrote in the statement, which was accompanied by a photo of herself leaving the Vogue Italia shoot so that followers could see the extent to which her skin was bronzed— implying that the heavily darkened effect came post-production.

“The bronzing and photoshop is a style that S.Klein has done for many years and I believe was what was expected from the shoot (to show me in a different way creatively). BUT, although I understand what Vogue Italia‘s intentions were, it was not executed correctly, and the concerns that have been brought up are valid,” she continues.

“I want to address this for those who were offended by the editing/retouching/coloring of the cover. Please know that things would have been different if my control of the situation was different. Regardless, I want to apologize because my intention is never to diminish those concerns or take opportunities away from anyone else, and I hope this can be an example to other magazines and teams in the future. There are real issues regarding representation in fashion — it’s our responsibility to acknowledge those issues and communicate through them to work towards a more diverse industry.”

The magazine also issued a statement on its Instagram account, saying “Throughout its history, Vogue Italia has respected and encouraged the creative viewpoints of commissioned photographers. In our latest cover shoot by Steven Klein, the vision was to create a beachwear-themed story with a stylized bronzing effect. We understand that the result has caused some debate with our readers, and we sincerely apologize if we have caused any offense.”

This isn’t the first time that Hadid’s appearance in Vogue Italia sparks controversy. In 2015, the 22-year-old model was accused for blackface and cultural appropriation when she appeared on the cover with significantly darkened skin and wearing a colorful afro wig.

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