ALL BLACK JULY ISSUE OF ITALIAN VOGUE SELLS OUT

Over the past year, discussions about the lack of diversity on high fashion runways took place during live panels created by black leaders in the industry like Bethann Hardison, and on the pages of lofty publications like the New York Times. The question on everybody's lips quickly became: Is fashion racist?

The next logical question was: If so, what is anybody supposed to do about it? The editors of Italian Vogue seized this questioning moment as an opportunity to showcase only black models for its July issue in quite possibly the most successful fashion magazine publicity stunt in history. The issue sold out in the U.S. almost immediately, prompting Condé Nast to quickly print 40,000 more copies to meet an extraordinary demand.

Outside of the exclusive realm of beauty image-makers, online reactions to the "Black Issue" of Italian Vogue have been ferocious and heart-felt. Read some of the most gripping quotes from top fashion spots above, and leave your own thoughts below. The models featured here were in the Italian Vogue "Black Issue," including many older beauties who broke fashion's color barrier decades ago.

 

You know, i was really surprised it sold out. Very surprised.

 

I would love to get that copy-if its still there at the bookstores. No question the Italian guys loved it. Their fantasies of black women had came to fruition. It is like some people from Essense and Ebony magazine come to Italy to work on that issue.