Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn for Vogue's January Issue

Hot blog Fashion Junkii has a few scans of Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn in the January 2009 issue of US Vogue:

The ladies are wearing designs straight off the runway--and looking absolutely fabulous!
Check out how their looks compare to the catwalk renditions here.

Best of 2008: Magazine Diversity

No end of the year round up would be complete without mentioning the huge increase in Magazine Diversity in 2008.
The year saw traditional glossies questioning their industry (gently prodded by Bethann Hardison), and turning inward to ask, "Where's the color?" Perhaps in the Obama era, magazines are seeing that it's time to get real and reflect the demographics of their country.
After a controversial Lebron James cover caused a critical wildfire in cyberspace, Fashion Bible Vogue took their July issue to ask if Fashion was Racist:
After fashionistas answered, "Yes!" Vogue decided to walk the walk with several spreads, even including Arlenis Pena, Oluchi Orlandi and Lakshmi Menon in a story on the industry's rising stars:

Harper's Bazaar also jumped on the multicultural bandwagon, with Tyra Banks gracing their September cover and posing as Michelle Obama in a fun multi pager:

And with the Williams sisters rocking couture on the court for Bazaar's November issue:

American mags did their part, but no one showed more love than the Italians, who plucked style aficionado Diddy as their cover boy for the October Issue of L'Uomo Vogue:
...and who knocked everyone out the park with Vogue Italia's All Black July Issue, featuring Naomi Campbell, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn, Liya Kebede, Tyra Banks, Toccara Jones and more:

The issue launched Facebook Groups, started discussions, and caused fashionistas worldwide to scramble for collector's copies. A Time article by Jeff Israely said, "After the original run of the July issue sold out in the U.S. and U.K. in 72 hours, Vogue Italia has just rushed to reprint 30,000 extra copies for American newsstands, another 10,000 for Britain and 20,000 more in Italy." Cha Ching!
2008 was THE YEAR for magazine diversity, and we can only hope the Fashion Powers are finally understanding that multiculturalism is not only beautiful, powerful, and profitable, but it's also the future. As ad pages dwindle, it's best to be as inclusive as possible-we notice!
Didn't you?
Bisous!
*Shout to Jezebel for Italian Vogue scans.
*If you're a mag hag, I highly recommend reading the blog Make Fetch Happen. Brigitte sifts through your favorite glossies with a fine toothed comb, and offers well informed, witty opinions.

American Vogue: Change We Can Believe In!

Fashionista.com has scans of a recent spread in American Vogue profiling some of fashion's brightest stars:
That's right ladies and gents: not one, or two, but THREE non-caucasian models. On top of featuring confirmed star Arlenis Pena, they also give shine to Nigerian model Oluchi Orlandi and Indian Beauty Lakshmi Menon.
I must admit, my heart is warming slowly towards Vogue; in July 2008, they asked if Fashion was Racist, and after a resounding chorus answered, "YES" they started to make real strides to be more inclusive.
I might think about reinstating my subscription, but the real question is: Does this change your opinion of Vogue?

You Should Know: Colures Magazine

Hey!
So while I'm here, I'm trying to get a full view of everything fashionable in Europe. A friend turned me on to a magazine called Colures...
...a UK publication that focuses exclusively on black fashion.
I know! While we're still hurting over the loss of Suede, magazines like Colures produce smart fashionable shots and shoots featuring women of color.
In addition to top notch fashion...
The magazine has intriguing articles...
And scintillating accessories spreads...
Chic!
Who needs Italian Vogue when Colures represents us all the time???
To read more about Colures, visit the site at www.coluresmagazine.com.
Take a peak at back issues, and subscribe for about $120 a year by clicking here.
Smootches!
PS Check out an interview with Colures Editor Leonie Brown here.