This summer, Vogue Italia is doing the Black Issue again, only with a slightly different twist: Black Barbie.
Bloggers and cynicals have been quick to criticize Vogue, claiming that they are just trying to milk the success that they had with last summer's Black issue, that they would have rather seen actual people instead of Barbie dolls, and that there shouldn't be a need for a "black issue" because black models should be included in every issue. But, the fact of the matter is black models AREN'T included in every issue, and in actuality, I think that since Vogue Italia's black issue last summer, black models have definitely been featured a lot more -- Chanel Iman is a centerfold regular these days. Regarldess, having a black issue in the first place brings light to the fact that we shouldn't need a black issue at all.
And yes, it would be nice to see actual models, but pairing it with the 50th anniversary of Barbie is brilliant and timely. A lot of people look at Barbie dolls as the frivolous plaything of young girls -- that what G.I. Joes and Matchbox Cars are to boys, Barbie is to girls. But I learned a lot about the history of Barbie and race relations across the world while working on this story, and I think recognizing Barbie in the world's most famous fashion magazine (not just Vogue, but Vogue Italia) will open people's eyes to the role that Barbie has played not only in the world of feminity and fashion (Barbie-themed show at fashion week, anyone?) but also, race. Moving past the original Barbie mold and giving multicultural girls around the world something to play with and relate to beyond the original fair-skinned, light-haired Barbie was a pivotal move by Mattel that was surrounded by controversy.
Anyway, regardless of opinion, I think the spread is creative and something fresh in the world of fashion magazines and one for the books for Vogue Italia. Here's a look at some of my favorites from the issue:
