Last week, Vogue’s Hurricane Sandy spread evoked some sensational commentary due to its oxymoronic images. Looking at the statuesque models juxtaposed against the celebrated “Hurricane Sandy’s first responders” is just asking for contentious comments. Is the focus of these photos on the everyday heroes like neo-natal nurses, Con-Ed employees and the NYPD or the beautiful models like Chanel Iman, Karlie Kloss and Liu Wen? Are the images tasteless or creative?
With New Yorkers still slowly recuperating after the hurricane’s damages, Annie Leibovitz’s shots are not exactly winning the favor of the masses. Many people have commented, on Vogue’s Facebook page, with mixed reviews. Some say, “Love it!” or “Industrial Chic!” Others exclaim, “Ridiculous…bad taste…” or, “I don’t understand this one.” With social media so easily at our finger tips, there is no ceasefire on how these images are portrayed. While the photos may be a chic, alternative way to make industrial and mechanical scenery pretty, it’s not achieving its goal of focusing on the workers. Some photographs have the models subtly mingling with the workers like the in nurse image, but others, like the Con-Ed image, are misleading.
To give a bit of context, Vogue began efforts to raise $1.7 million for Sandy relief and this spread is part of their homage to the heroes. Each image has a caption with memorable quotes or stories from the workers as well. This is the magazine’s way of giving back and honoring the first responders. It is neat to see the sensual models posing amongst the infinite metal pipes of the Con-Ed factory, in front of a gusty emergency helicopter or in a hospital waiting room with beeping monitors because it is so atypical. The problem is its effectiveness. It is debatable if the images truly honor the everyday saviors of the Hurricane Sandy or if they just provide a backdrop to the name brand clothes (such as the Oscar de la Renta ball gown, the silk Donna Karan dress and the Proenza Schouler leather jacket) and famous models Vogue knows we’re all really looking at. After all, a person doesn’t read Vogue for heart-warming relief stories; they buy for fashion.
All images can be seen at Vogue.com; tweet us your thoughts about the spread @FASHIONOTES!
By Alessia Mocella
Via Fashionista
