https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:14:04 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165419 Thu, 14 Jan 2021 00:55:11 +0000 Echo 2165419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The idea of sending a message is interesting, but what might that message be? As far as defying expectations, this is a woman who has pursued and mostly conformed to the traditional "white woman power outfit" for the better part of her life. Why, with her greatest achievement so far, would she choose to subvert that image? If the outfit were a "power outfit" in any sense of the word or in any culture, I would understand how it challenged perceptions of Vogue's usual audience, but it doesn't seem to be.&nbsp;</p> <p>In politics, the expectations are more societal than a racial or cultural, so that again leaves me searching for a message. Without further context or commentary from the artist/photographer, I have to default to Chiara's comments that this was simply an unfortunate turn of events. Indeed, if Harris' camp is unhappy, then perhaps <i>they</i> don't understand the intended "message" either.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165402 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 22:12:30 +0000 Chiara 2165402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Without knowing anything about the background for this particular shoot, in the past I worked in a role where I had to organise shoots, and the quality of the end product may have been affected by the limitations on the shoot.<br /> For someone as senior as KH, they probably had one opportunity to take the shots, and if they lost the steam iron, or didn’t have a good range of clothes to pick from...they just had to work with what they had. All normal stuff (the losing of steam irons, or other kit, the limited time to shoot) and likely even more so with the pandemic. In normal times you would just schedule another shoot, if possible, but not at the moment, and not with this subject, I suspect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165400 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 21:51:39 +0000 cindysmith 2165400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>While I do LOVE Madam Vice President's unapologetic fashion sense (those sneakers, her Timberlands, all the stuff she does that isn't a powersuit and heels), I don't like that cover. The part that disturbs me most is that awful background of pea soup green. The light grey suit cover is beautiful all around to my eye </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165373 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 18:41:53 +0000 Jenni NZ 2165373@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Gaylene your thinking certainly adds to the debate. I have not really had an opinion on the photos, I feel a bit far removed from the other side of the world. You give me even more to consider. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165331 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:23:50 +0000 NancyW 2165331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Gaylene for your thought provoking posts. They are a true power move: examining one’s own perceptions. I have read the linked article and Vanessa Friedman in The NY Times, but I did not do any research on the photographer, nor did I examine my own first feelings. You have reminded me that I should do so! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165229 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 23:55:13 +0000 Vildy 2165229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has really taken an interesting turn.&nbsp; Now I'm wondering if Harris picked out those clothes herself.&nbsp; And if there is a message supposed to be sent, is this her own message?&nbsp; Perhaps not and perhaps why there is so much dissatisfaction from her camp. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165219 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 23:11:40 +0000 Gaylene 2165219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just glad Mitchell didn’t use his trademark “white sheet on a laundry line” image as a background—or pose Ms. Harris on a stool! *grimace*</p> <p>But, I’ll admit, as a 70+ white female, I do think it’s interesting to explore my instinctive reactions to seeing a powerful Black woman at a historic moment wearing a brown tweedy jacket and Cons. Maybe Mitchell is on to something that white privilege is expressed in my preference that Ms. Harris wear a traditional “white woman” power outfit—perhaps a black skirted suit with a white shirt and pearls?—haloed by a sunlit backdrop as she sits behind a impressive mahogany desk with a flag draped behind her? Is Ms. Harris being disrespected because she isn’t packaged in my notions of how she ought to be shown? Is the “black suit/white shirt” image being subverted by a unmatched pant suit, cotton T-shirt, and Cons. I suspect it’s the latter...and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly the message I’m supposed to get. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165212 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 22:40:33 +0000 rachylou 2165212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That’s interesting about the photographer on the job. The black suit is the tweedy jacket, black pants and cons? Do I think I’d feel differently about the cover if Kamala were white in that outfit? Hmm. Have to think about it. I don’t hate that cover and I rather like her take on political dress. Do I feel a need for leaders in suits? That’s an interesting question. I may be starting to feel this notion of showing respect through clothing is... problematic... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165207 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 22:12:19 +0000 Gaylene 2165207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@FashIntern. Actually, I’m not sure “casual” is the word I’d use for Mitchell’s images—but I think I’d definitely put him in the “crafted political statement” camp. And, I think, as a politically-inclined Black photographer, your point is exactly the one the one that Mitchell is trying to make to a typical “white” Vogue audience. </p> <p>The Washington Post article that Shevia linked to in her response probably better reflects my position that, personally, I’d have loved a more conventional “WOW” approach to this amazing woman and her historic achievement. That’s why I think it’s interesting Mitchell was chosen to do the cover shoot. I imagine there would be no shortage of well-known photographers who would shoot a more conventionally powerful image of the first Black female VP for a Vogue cover but both parties did obviously agree on Mitchell. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165202 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 21:49:37 +0000 Anonymous 2165202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Did Vogue get it wrong? Yes. I hope the photographer does not get blamed. Some editor most probably decided how the photos were to be used. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165193 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 21:04:38 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2165193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, I’m not familiar with this photographer, will take your word that they are known for casual images. That pushes the concern about the racism involved in refusing /choosing not to present a Black woman in a traditional “power” portrait back one step, but I don’t see how it changes the basic issue that Black people are frequently not accorded the same respect we would assume based on how white people in similar positions are treated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165192 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 20:46:32 +0000 Carla 2165192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ Gaylene - thank you for your contribution to the discourse! &nbsp;So much to think about...<div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165190 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 20:33:08 +0000 Gaylene 2165190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ll defer to others, like Janet, for an assessment as to the quality of the photography because I’m certainly not the expert here, but I can’t help but think Vogue’s decision to use Tyler Mitchell as the photographer makes its editorial decision to use the black suit image rather predictable.</p> <p> <div>To my mind Tyler Mitchell’s images are interesting because his choices are NOT what I expect to see in a portrait: he shoots in natural light with a saturated, candy-colored palette; he frequently uses a&nbsp;draped fabric background (often in a laundry-line look) as a metaphor to connect his non-white subjects to the context of a historical social reality; and, finally, he chooses to present blackness using imagery that’s common to white people but subtly questions our response when non-white subjects employ clothing in an equivalent way. In Mitchell’s own words: </p> <p><i>This stuff I’m photographing is real, but it’s also a fantasy...These are behaviors we’ve been self-policing ourselves from. For instance, when I visited my best friend who went to Hampton, a historically black college — I almost went to Howard myself — I visited him on the weekend and the rules were like, no hats indoors, you have to wear a belt at all times, when you’re in certain areas you have to wear a collared shirt. I was like, Are you serious? These are rules that we’ve put in place on ourselves so that we seem presentable according to Western ideas of what presentable looks like. If we don’t present that way, we get killed. That’s what I mean when I say fantasy.</i></p> </div><div><br /></div><div>I suspect the editorial choice of Tyler Mitchell was approved by Harris’ team so, while the black suit image might not have been the one her team preferred, the overall image that would be projected by a Mitchell Vogue cover was entirely predictable. A different photographer would have provided a much different image—perhaps more in line with our conventional expectations? But maybe that’s the point the editorial staff at Vogue wanted to drive home?</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165185 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 20:12:09 +0000 Style Fan 2165185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with what Shevia said.&nbsp; Ha Catherine! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165166 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 18:40:43 +0000 JAileen 2165166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like both photos. &nbsp;The sneakers photo is how she campaigned. &nbsp;The other one looks very professional. &nbsp;I don’t see a problem. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165163 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 18:31:55 +0000 cherylm 2165163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I personally like the photo of her in the blue suit. She looks authoritative and dare I say feminine at the same time. The photo of her in her signature Converse I don’t like because she seems unsure of her self - she doesn’t strike me as a women who is ever unsure of her self and surely that isn’t image that best says - “I’m going to be the first women VP of the the United States”.&nbsp;</p> <p>Even though this is a fashion blog - I am encouraged that generally the comments aren’t about what she is wearing but center more on criticisms about Vogue’s decisions regarding lighting, background, choice of photo etc. That shows great progress for women leaders - IMHO.&nbsp;</p> <p>I doubt Vogue gives up editorial say over what photo is used easily. But given her stature - her team blundered not have a voice on what images were used.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165146 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 17:14:08 +0000 Suz 2165146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, Catherine!&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm not crazy about either photo. For me, a better image of Kamala Harris in the video of her white suit, her incredible vitality and energy. As others have said, she is often depicted in motion and I think it's both suitable metaphorically and also for her, personally -- for her personal style. It's as if the Vogue team didn't really try (beyond the obvious -- Cons) to express any of that, unless a sloppy backdrop is their attempt?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165144 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 17:11:42 +0000 MsMary 2165144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Shevia and also with the WaPo article. Madam Vice President deserved better but also Vogue can't diminish her greatness. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165138 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 16:44:03 +0000 rachylou 2165138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha Catherine! </p> <p>UmmLila - you’re right about that, the magazines and pandemic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong/page/2#post-2165136 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 16:37:01 +0000 catherine 2165136@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Did Vogue get it wrong? Of course they did. In other words, it’s Tuesday. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165122 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 14:04:31 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2165122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the blue better, but neither very much. I am in agreement with Staysfit that the VP's team could have taken more time to make sure that the image would convey something more vice presidential.</p> <p>Fashion magazines have absolutely been floundering in the pandemic. I have seen very few creative shoots, or ideas. It seems like they're just cribbing from Instagram and asking people to take selfies and describe what they do at home. The only positive I've noticed is that they have finally started to feature more people of color throughout the publications. </p> <p>I didn't renew any of my subscriptions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165120 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 14:03:29 +0000 Vildy 2165120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The defensive arms crossed posture isn't doing her any favors and doesn't seem characteristic of her, anyway, so strikes me as a peculiar choice.&nbsp;</p> <p>Slight wrinkling in fabric background wasn't something I noticed on my own.&nbsp; Makes it the focus of the photo, though.&nbsp; That and what could have been the intentions of photographer and editor.&nbsp; Or that it was just sloppy and they had no intentions.&nbsp; Which doesn't seem in line with the "old" Vogue under Anna Wintour, who liked to use unexpected images and they were never subtle, so you were struck by the subject and not distracted by the background.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>ETA: I had thought Wintour was kicked upstairs but see that she remains editor of Vogue, as well.&nbsp; These photos don't seem like her work at all.&nbsp; Even in the sneakers photo, Harris is holding her hands in an awkward, nervous way.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165119 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 13:57:25 +0000 Janet 2165119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is Vogue to blame? Yes! Absolutely they are. Their editorial team has the final say on what gets published. Not the photographer, not the interviewer/reporter, not the art director. Trust me, someone was in charge of that photo shoot and either they were extremely rushed (quite possible but I have seem amazing portraits taken in five minutes flat), or too overwhelmed or too complacent in art directing. Or they don’t have excellent taste, but I doubt that’s the issue. Maybe they were too caught up in a moment to see that they were making poor choices. </p> <p>Frankly, she doesn’t look her most comfortable in those photos. The caliber of portrait photographers typically chosen for these kinds of momentous issues are usually proven masters of portrait photography— look at Peter Yang, Platon, Yousuf Karsh, Joe McNally, etc. I can appreciate the other work of this photographer but I think maybe this wasn’t the right job for them. </p> <p>But the bottom line is, Shevia is right — Kamala Harris doesn’t need a magazine cover to make her powerful. It’s just a missed opportunity and a bit of a shame, IMHO. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165111 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 13:10:11 +0000 Staysfit 2165111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Runcarla, thanks for sharing this article. &nbsp;I saw it yesterday in the news and was struck with the situation. &nbsp;When considering optics, I am not fond of either picture, for the reasons given by many above. &nbsp;Knowing that the soon to be VP or her advisors, did not take the time to ensure final say over which images would be used and where, sadly makes me think a bit less of her leadership abilities. She is going to represent an entire country and her visual image needs both authenticity and power. &nbsp;I want to believe that her personal focus remains on the tasks she faces instead of her wardrobe. However, the pictures do not convey her power, authority or competence and I believe it was an oversight on her part not to take more care on this issue. &nbsp;Is Vogue to blame? &nbsp;I don’t think so.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165109 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 13:03:11 +0000 RobinF 2165109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think either of these is very flattering. The colors don't really work for her, especially the first one, although I like her in sneakers. Her smile doesn't look good either and I love her smile. Not very good pics overall in my opinion.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165108 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 12:54:39 +0000 Anonymous 2165108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ditto tg! I definitely like the one with the blue more- though devils advocate, I'd think more people would probably see the digital version than the print. Not crazy about the background either- too drapy and unstructured with the outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165101 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 12:38:24 +0000 Helena 2165101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with what Bijou said ... my personal opinion aside (and I think the photo they chose is not a good photo and doesn't capture anything that I understand to be her character of extreme intellect, competence, and action - but I'm no expert on art photography), as the second most powerful person in the world, her choice in photo should have been respected and used, full stop. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165099 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 12:26:34 +0000 kkards 2165099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do think its odd that the more formal picture was chosen for what i consider the more informal medium. It does feel backward to me. But then maybe I’m just old and no longer understand...<br />that being said, i’m not really a fan of either photo. I think the blue suit is nice, but it’s just melting into the yellow/mustard background. I would have loved to see it in front of the pink background from the other photo. I love the idea of the cons photo, but for me the texture from the green fabric in the background over takes the texture on her jacket. But then everyone’s a critic, and what do i know&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165074 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 07:57:33 +0000 bella 2165074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vogue is a fashion magazine, so a lot of the criticism focuses on the outfit. But I think her expression is quite different in the two pictures as well. Whereas the suit picture is an example of approachable poise, confidence, and calm, the converse picture is kind of goofy, uncertain, surprised - almost as if the VP herself cannot believe she made it. The first picture is very befitting of a political leader, whereas the second is less so (or at least in terms of what we are accustomed to seeing from our political leadership). Makes me think that there is some latent sexism at work as usual. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-vogue-get-it-wrong#post-2165054 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 05:44:28 +0000 Bijou 2165054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vogue got it wrong because Kamala was not happy. I admire her style, her white suit worn on the night of the election result was my favourite Kamala outfit. </p>