Amid controversy, ‘Vogue’ will publish another limited edition featuring Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris.
Critics slammed the photo that graced the hard copy of the February issue, saying it was poorly composed and diminished Harris’s achievements as the first Black woman to be elected vice president. Social media users criticised the lighting of the photo—in which Harris wears a blazer, jeans, and sneakers—and also questioned whether the magazine had lightened her skin.
Following the backlash, Vogue announced it would release some copies with a more formal portrait of Harris wearing a light blue Michael Kors pantsuit. That image had been used for the digital cover.
“In recognition of the enormous interest in the digital cover, and in celebration of this historic moment, we will be publishing a limited number of special edition inaugural issues,” a spokesperson for Vogue said.
Editor Anna Wintour was forced to defend the original image after it circulated online earlier this month, insisting it was not the magazine’s intention to diminish Harris’ incredible election victory.
Both photos were taken by American photographer Tyler Mitchell, who became in 2018 the first Black photographer to shoot a Vogue cover with his portraits of music icon Beyoncé. Harris, 56, did not publicly react but sources close to her told US media that she was surprised by the choice of the more relaxed photo.
