Did Vogue get it wrong? - YouLookFab Forum

rachylou

I feel that I saw the magazine on the stands and didn’t think twice. But now online... I prefer the suit pic. Frankly, I chalk it up to the difference in medium.

3 years ago

nuancedream

Veteran

The suit and Coverse sneakers pic isn't horrible, but it is also not befitting the Vice President elect of the United States. The whole photo backdrop looks kind of thrown together at the last moment. I prefer the suit pic too.

3 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I prefer the suit pic. I don't care for the messy pink backdrop on the muddy green, even though I love that she's photographed in her cons. I can see what they were going for, I think (a more relaxed vibe), and I admire much of that photographer's other work, but this fell flat for me.

3 years ago

Kathie

Veteran

For the cover, I much prefer the suit photo. I've seen some other great photos of our Vice President elect in her Cons, but they are usually active photos- showing her walking, or at least outside. I think the sentiment behind the casual photo was great, but it needed a different setting, and probably to be a photo in the article, rather than on the cover.

3 years ago

Anonymous

I was kind of surprised honestly, that Vogue still exercises final choice.

Knowing that, and if it's true that Kamala Harris was disappointed by the choice, she might have insisted on retaining final choice, or declined the invitation.

3 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I agree with Janet that the colours are pretty bad, not just ugly but somehow out of step with... everything?

Like Phoebe, I'm a little surprised that the VP and her team didn't have a chance to nix this if it wasn't the image they wanted to project, but I imagine things are pretty chaotic during this transition, and there could easily have been a miscommunication of some sort. (DH immediately pointed out that this whole thing sounds just like a Veep episode.)

The blue suit is beautiful, if perhaps a little too HRC for the present moment...

3 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

I am torn... I do not LIKE the photo with the chucks for all the reasons LaPed mentioned, but I like to think that maybe Vogue was trying to express some sort of realness, and attainable... relatability? I do see how it seems less professional and inspirational than the suit pic, and I can see how that could be upsetting.

3 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, I don’t see “realness” in a huge swath of pink satin that needs a good steaming. I just don’t get it.

Well, at least it has us all talking.

3 years ago

Renee P

Active Member

The Vogue cover was kind of half-arsed and it didn't do her justice. It seemed like whoever was involved slapped a session together the last minute.

3 years ago

cat2

Veteran

I don’t like this photograper’s work on this shoot. The curtains picture is a mess and the crossed arms in the other picture look too defensive.

3 years ago

nuancedream

Veteran

Duplicate reply.

3 years ago

nuancedream

Veteran

The pink and green backdrop is an acknowledgment of Kamala Harris' sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. However, as previously noted the backdrop seems sloppy and thrown together on a whim. I expect better from Vogue.

3 years ago

NancyW

Veteran

Next week she will be the Vice President of the United States. And, of course she is a ‘first’ times three. The country leads the world in corona virus deaths, the transition is not a peaceful one, and Vogue wants us to see her as approachable? We need to see her as strong, capable, and ready. The cover is a mistake.

3 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

I think it was said that casual photo was intended for the inside story - never for a cover ( I do not like "the curtains" either ).

3 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I’m in agreement with cat2. Even the blue suit photograph has a clumsy backdrop - not a straight fall of gold fabric, but interrupted by a patterned ‘tablecloth’ right behind her. It’s all rather distracting, and not the best pose. I expect better craftsmanship from Vogue.

As an aside, I hope this doesn’t have an adverse impact on how the VP dresses IRL in the future.

3 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Yes, Vogue got it wrong because they agreed (obviously not bindingly) to use the blue suit photo for the cover and reneged on their word. I absolutely agree that she needs to be portrayed as strong and capable right now, not approachable.

Then again Harris' team made a mistake allowing the magazine to have final say on the cover shot. In that case, they shouldn't have allowed any photos they wouldn't have been happy with on the cover to be taken.

3 years ago

Cassie

Active Member

YES

3 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes I have been reading about this with interest.
https://www.washingtonpost.com.....-too-fast/

I do prefer the digital cover, but am glad to say I believe that Vice President Elect Harris does not need Vogue to give her respect or power. Vogue might want to check its privilege though.

3 years ago

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I prefer the picture in a suit, but in both cases, the backdrop is a mess. I'd expect something with cleaner lines and stronger colors. She Is a woman of power, they failed to convey It.

3 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

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.

3 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

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.

3 years ago

kkards

Veteran

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...
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

3 years ago

Helena

Veteran

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.

3 years ago

Anonymous

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.

3 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

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.

3 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Runcarla, thanks for sharing this article. I saw it yesterday in the news and was struck with the situation. When considering optics, I am not fond of either picture, for the reasons given by many above. 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. 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. Is Vogue to blame? I don’t think so.

3 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

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.

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.

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.

3 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

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.

Slight wrinkling in fabric background wasn't something I noticed on my own. Makes it the focus of the photo, though. That and what could have been the intentions of photographer and editor. Or that it was just sloppy and they had no intentions. 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.

ETA: I had thought Wintour was kicked upstairs but see that she remains editor of Vogue, as well. These photos don't seem like her work at all. Even in the sneakers photo, Harris is holding her hands in an awkward, nervous way.

3 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

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.

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.

I didn't renew any of my subscriptions.

3 years ago

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