I Got My Vogue September Issues…Finally!

Okay…let me start by sharing that I used to be a Vogue subscriber off and on for at least 30+ years. My favorite years for fashion was the late 1980s to late 1990s, especially during the period of the “Super models”. Omg!!! My favorites: Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell and Nadege Des Bospertus (French model). Of course I cannot omit Iman…so beautiful!

I am digressing…Back to my Vogue subscription story.

Two years ago, I stopped my American Vogue subscription primarily because I grew tired of the occasional inclusion of people of color, in particular Black people, and the stories, still centering the white-dominant narrative. Over the last 10-15 years it seems, there has been a gradual increase in the focus on including people identifying as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and if it wasn’t for the hard push, advocacy and advancement of calling the fashion community to pay attention to its lack of diversity on the runways, in print, fashion editorials, and campaigns by models and fashion activists Bethann Hardison, Iman and Naomi Campbell, we would not see this shift towards more diversity within this industry as we are seeing now.

There has been steady increase of BIPOC representation, however, there are areas we still need to see more diversity. In leadership roles-middle management, upper management and executive leadership roles-in every industry, particularly filled with persons who identify as BIPOC.

Okay…took another detour. Again back to my Vogue subscription story.

I currently receive Vogue.com as a digital subscriber because I wanted to take a break from the collection of paper, but still stay in the loop as fashion is concerned. However, when the announcement of all 26 editions of Vogue’s September Hope Covers appeared on Vogue.com in August showing the most beautiful covers featuring BIPOCs (that I feel will become collector’s item in years to come), I had to renew my subscription to get the American Vogue September Issue and follow for at least this year how Vogue will feature BIPOCs in alignment with their renewed focus on equity, justice and anti-racism. I also ordered British Vogue September Issue too because it features on the cover model/influencer Adwoa Aboah and Manchester United’s forward Marcus Rashford (for those of you who follow Football…*soccer*) and a host of fabulous individuals who are using their platforms to fight for equity and justice. Such a beautiful cover with beautiful content…So excited!

From left to right: September 2020 Hope Special Edition Issue American Vogue Covers featuring paintings by Kerry James Marshall and Jordan Casteel; British Vogue Cover featuring Adwoa Aboah, Marcus Rashford and a host of 20th-21st century activists on the extended cover page.