En Vogue

I can recall sitting in my AP US History class watching the clock. I couldn’t wait to get home.

I wasn’t rushing home to wait by the phone for a teenage love to call. I was anxiously awaiting the delivery of my actual love:

VOGUE

The moment I cracked open the publication, my first stop was “Life with Andre.”

It was via Andre that I saw a visual depiction of “anything was possible.” It was also in those following pages that I learned the art of style.

Not fashion but STYLE.

Photographers, artists, creative directors and designers. They were all interviewed often and gave the readers un petit glimpse into their lives and work. I devoured each page.

I took notes of the editors, visual directors and staff. It was an ungraded assignment and every month, before opening the next issue. I quizzed myself.

Every issue, I learned something new. Vogue was my university before, I was accepted to University. Vogue was my textbook before I ever enrolled in Design 101.

After pages and pages of artistic information the publication ended with elaborate editorials, that always told a story.

Each spread brought me closer and closer to my dreams.

I longed for the day that I could shop the atiliers in Paris, select silks in Como and sip champagne in Chanel.

At that young age, I knew I’d travel the world with Louis Vuitton luggage (the standard of chic travel) and collect pieces from boutiques where no one spoke English or had a web address.

Vogue had prepared me. After all, I still have every September Issue since I was fourteen.

As the years have gone by I’ve become less and less inspired by my beloved Vogue.

The articles not only (still) lack diversity, but they now lack luster.

Is it me? Was I asking for too much from the fashion holy grail?

At what point does “traditionalism” become trite?

I can’t bring myself to unsubscribe but it’s becoming more and more tempting to do so.

Perhaps it’s out with the old and in with the new? I’ll discuss my affinity for international publications to American editions since high school in another post.

I’d be remiss if I did not mention how (beyond) thrilled I am to see the creative minds of these women of color taking over coveted American publications.

Samira Nasr, Editor in Chief of Harper’s Bazaar

Elaine Welteroth, Editor in Chief of Teen Vogue

Madame Nasr and Madame Welteroth may you continue to shine your talented light and provide a physical depiction of style, grace and intelligence for little girls of color who never saw themselves reflected in these political, artistic and professional spaces.

To my fellow magazine junkies, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the state of fashion publications and creativity.

Ciao for now 💋