When Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani announced her decision to create an all-black issue, she recognized that it might not go over that well in Italy."Maybe in our country it is not the best idea," she said. "But I don't care. I think it is not my problem if they don't like it — it's their problem." It's definitely not a problem at all. Even if it's the lowest-selling Vogue Italia of the year in Italy (although there's no indication that it is), it is certainly the best-selling Vogue Italia issue in the States. This explains why every one I've gone into for the past week has been sold out of them.
Tracking the issue down was a journey in itself. Even in New York City, the few newsstands that carried the issue sold out within hours (one newsstand went through 400 copies). There were waiting lists and prepaid orders. Many of the customers, according to newsstand staffers I talked to, bought all four versions with different covers as keepsakes. At $16 a copy (one newsstand wanted to charge me $20 to prepay for one from his next batch), it was a circulation director's fantasy come true.
One wonders if the incredible success of this issue will inspire copycats. Although, the most brilliant outcome would be that editors finally realize that when you put black women in magazines, even if it's not only black women, more black women will buy them and white women won't stop buying them. Diversity isn't bad for the fashion business. [AdAge]
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I want to add that Trace has a black girls rule issue every year(sept/oct?) in which they exclusively feauture black models.
I got my issue today!!! And I'm on the waiting list for two more!!! Once I get the other two I plan to cut them up and make a collage from them. The issue is great!
And thanks Chic Noir for the heads-up. I'll be on the look out for that issue.
i got miiiiines! ( :
I bought two on Monday from Around the World on 40 btw 5/6 in NY. they had plenty although as i said i bought 2 and the other 4 black women in the store had multiples as well. but i walked by just today and they still had some..
It's smart business to diversify and increase your customer base. Those who are argue against women of color on covers of magazines are masking their own biases.
Bella! Bella! Vogue Italia!
http://www.talulazoeapple.com
I CANNOT FIND THIS ANYWHERE. I AM SO MAD.
I'll have to order online. I told my mama I'd send her one too.
I agree w/ Daria. In my city I visited 2 Barnes & Nobles & 1 Borders & they all told me the same thing, they are sold out across the nation. I'm gonna have to order online as well.
I could not find one either. A co-worker of mine's brother is on vacation in Italy so he emailed him to bring me one back. I hope it happens or else I think I'm gonna cry.
I bought 7 in all! I had to pre-order and the newsstand guy called me the day they arrived!! Five went to friends (for the sticker price of course) and I kept the Naomi one for myself to look through, and the Sesilee Lopez one — unwrapped, because that's the most iconic cover of all four. I plan to buy more to give to my nieces. If I can find them.