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Gigi Hadid Apologizes For 'Blackface' Vogue Italia Cover Following Backlash

Gigi Hadid Getty Images
By Emily Surpless

Gigi Hadid is sorry for her part in the publication of Vogue Italia's latest controversial cover.

On Thursday, May 3, 2018, the famous model took to social media to apologize for her participation in the Italian magazine's cover, which many have criticized for its apparent use of "blackface." However, she wasn't about to take all the blame for the issue's photos. Sharing a photo of herself returning home after her photoshoot for Vogue Italia on April 3, Hadid wrote, "You can see the level I had been bronzed to on set that day. 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."

Hadid explained that the intentions of the photos were to show her "in a different way creatively." But she conceded that "it was not executed correctly, and the concerns that have been brought up are valid."

"Please know that things would have been different if my control of the situation was different. Regardless, I want to apologize 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," Hadid continued. "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."

Hadid's Vogue Italia cover, which was photographed by Steven Klein, faced harsh criticism after its publication. The cover featured a heavily tanned Hadid alongside male model Justin Martin. "Why hire a black model when we can paint Gigi's complete body and face to look like one," one fan wrote (via Page Six)

In response to the criticism, Vogue Italia released a statement. "Throughout its history, Vogue Italia has always respected and even encouraged the viewpoint of commissioned photographers. Needless to say, this is the case with the latest shoot by Steven Klein, a creative whose vision has had an impact in shaping the path of our publication," the magazine said (via E! News). "Fashion photography, and Vogue Italia's in particular, is an interpretation of reality, not a literal representation of it, and this creative approach applies to the cover of the May issue."

Vogue Italia and Hadid have been accused of depicting "blackface" before, after Hadid's November 2015 cover showed her with a darker skin tone, wearing an afro-style wig.

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