Fans of Vogue magazine have criticized the magazine for airbrushing supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington on the cover.
The ’90s greats reunited for a joint cover of Vogue and British Vogue’s September issues, which initially wowed fashion lovers when it was announced on Friday.
However, Alexandra Shulman, who edited British Vogue from 1992 to 2017, argued in the Mail on Sunday that the publication had turned the stars into “cartoon versions” of themselves.
She wrote: “Why on earth did they have to be transformed into a plasticized version of themselves, dressed in somber black widow outfits and subjected to computer retouching to become a cartoon version of what a glamorous older woman could be ?
Meanwhile, many on social media were quick to agree with her, with one person commenting on Instagram: “I find this to be a rather horrific portrayal of these beautiful women in their prime and what a sad excuse not to show them in all their middle-aged glory.” ‘Let’s face it, Vogue isn’t half as ambitious as it used to be!’
Original supermodels Cindy Crawford, 57, Linda Evangelista, 58, Naomi Campbell, 53, and Christy Turlington, 54, grace the cover of Vogue’s September issue
The greats of the ’90s reunited for a joint September cover for Vogue and British Vogue in a recreation of this 1990 issue
Another wrote, “When I saw that cover, it felt a little clinical and cold.” “It would have been nice to see her shown a little more naturally and relatably, a little more human.”
A third added: “It’s another example of stupidity on the part of fashion.” There’s nothing wrong with being older.
“There is nothing wrong with imperfection.” Everyone is totally imperfect and everyone must accept imperfection.
“If we were all perfect, what would the world look like?” I would be interested to know what each person thinks.
“You must have agreed to such a presentation?” “It’s all madness and symptomatic of the magazine’s decline.”
One commented, “I agree they are so naturally beautiful, but the article would have been a lot more inspirational without Photoshop.”
Elsewhere in her article, Alexandra wrote: “It’s particularly odd considering that Vogue has recently positioned itself around the idea of inclusivity and rejecting the notion that conventional definitions of beauty are relevant to cover choice .”
“These women are really beautiful.” In their young selves, they inspired a generation of women to dream that they could do a little emulation.
“Now in their fifties, they really are the stuff of middle-aged women’s sweetest dreams – most of them could only wish for the boning, long lean limbs and defined waistline that not just this foursome on Vogue -cover.” but also own it in real life. You’re still great.’
The cover was released months after the announcement that British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful was stepping down from the role amid rumors of a falling out with Anna Wintour.
The 51-year-old, the first male and first black editor of British Vogue, told the magazine’s staff that he will be taking on a new global role at publisher Conde Nast.
Mr Enninful made radical changes to British Vogue and under his control the magazine featured its first transgender cover model.
He also mentored the magazine’s first male cover star – Oscar-nominated actor Timothee Chalamet, while disability activist Sinead Burke was the first visibly disabled person to appear on the cover.
When the September cover was released, many criticized the creative direction of the covers – the famous stars wore dark colors against a silver-grey background.
However, Alexandra Shulman, who edited British Vogue from 1992 to 2017, argued in the Mail on Sunday that the publication had turned the stars into “cartoon versions” of themselves
Despite boasting the title “The Greatest Ever,” numerous fans took to social media to lament their lack of enthusiasm for the picture.
One Twitter user wrote: “Creatively they could have done ANYTHING and standing in all black in a corner with crappy lighting is what they came up with.” Is this a friggin’ funeral?
Another wrote: “This should have been amazing, this cover should have made us all choke but it’s kind of flat and that’s a real shame.”
“I’m afraid this latest US cover of Vogue isn’t the best ever,” said one fan simply.
Another tweeted, “Not you out here making your supermodels look like housewives in a September issue… The disrespect is too great.”
“The cover could definitely have been better,” commented another. “Four of the greatest supermodels the world has ever known and that was the choice for the cover?”
Meanwhile, many on social media were quick to agree, with one person commenting on Instagram that it was a “horrific portrayal of women in their prime.”
One fan commented, “Fabulous models who know how to serve so this cover is a choice.”
Another added: “September issue of Vogue looks a disaster sorry.”
“All these icons and you couldn’t have come up with anything more interesting on a shoot????” lamented one Twitter user.
“It’s almost disrespectful when the legends are so…blah,” someone wrote in frustration.
Another fan wrote, ‘This cover doesn’t do her legacy any favours, omg.’ Just lazy.’
Elsewhere on Instagram, fans commented: “This is a cover now I love all these supermodels!!!’ But you all didn’t portray them well lol!’
“The posing is weird. “It’s like they took all of their shots one at a time and then Photoshopped them together,” claimed one fan.
Allegations of using Photoshop have also been lamented, as some felt Cindy Crawford’s famous face looked significantly different in the image.
One fan wrote: “I didn’t recognize Cindy Crawford here given the stern expression on her face and lifeless hair.’ After a bad accident I honestly thought she was Julia Roberts.’
Though they boasted the title “The Greatest Ever,” numerous fans took to social media to complain that the picture didn’t excite them
Many were quick to criticize the creative direction chosen for the cover, claiming that the end result was unconvincing
Another added: “Wait… THIS is Cindy Crawford??? What has she done to herself? If you hadn’t named her, I would have NO idea it was her.”
“What the hell did they do to Cindy Crawford’s face?” asked another.
Elsewhere, others shared their delight at having such iconic models in the spotlight in September’s issue, with one person tweeting, “Finally, Vogue has decided to go back to the iconic covers and stop flattering the Kardashians.” These are covers.’
Another added: “With the return of ’90s supermodels in this year’s September issue, as well as Karen Elson’s gorgeous Vogue cover comeback later this year, I realized that no matter how the Insta girls were a few years ago, the modeling industry have taken over, These legends are still unrivalled.’
“The original supermodels show the girls how it’s done for their issue of Vogue,” wrote one delighted fan.
Photographed by photographer Rafael Pavarotti, the cover shoot was done to promote the model group’s upcoming Apple TV+ documentary, The Super Models, which will premiere September 20.
The iconic models belonged to the It model scene of the 80s and 90s; starred alongside other supermodels on the cover of Vogue in 1992
The women will tell their stories in the new Apple TV+ documentaries The Supermodels
The four-part show focuses on the top models of the 1990s.
The series is directed by Academy Award winners Roger Ross Williams and Larissa Bills, and executive produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Documentaries.
Taking fans back to the 1980s, at the dawn of their modeling career, the supermodels document how the four women from all over the world came together and collectively achieved industry fame.
The four-part series will also look at women’s work today, not just in fashion, but also in activism, philanthropy and business, and how the quartet paved the way for the next generation.