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Gigi Hadid is actually almost unrecognisable on the cover of the current issue of Vogue Italia. While the Photoshop on her face is already overdone, it’s her altered skin tone that has attracted considerable backlash, many accusing her of “blackface”.
Hadid issued an apology overnight and made clear her creative involvement when it comes approval images.
“This is a photo of me returning home from shooting my Italian Vogue cover on April 3rd… you can see the level I had been bronzed to on set that day,” she began. “Please understand that my control of a shoot 1. Is non-existent in terms of creative direction 2. Ends completely when I leave set, and anything done to a photo in post is out of my control fully.
“The bronzing and Photoshop is a style that S. Klein has done for many years and I believe was what was expected from the shoot (to show me in a different way creatively). BUT, although I understand what Vogue Italia’s intentions were, it was not executed correctly, and the concerns that have been brought up are valid.
“I want to address this for those who were offended by the editing/retouching/colouring of the cover. Please know that thing would have been different if my control of the situation was different.
“Regardless, I want to apologise because my intention is never to diminish those concerns or take opportunities away from anyone else, and I hope this can be an example to other magazines and teams in the future.
“There are real issues regarding representation in fashion—it’s our responsibility to acknowledge those issues and communicate through them to work towards a more diverse industry. xG”
