Vogue magazine says No to Vogue Africa
Continuing its racist ways, American Vogue publisher Conde Nast, which publishes Vogue in 18 countries, has declined a request to create a Vogue Africa magazine.
Conde Nast’s reason for not creating a magazine to pay homage to black women should be obvious.
Cameroonian photographer Mario Epanya went all out in his campaign to make Vogue Africa a reality. In order to get publisher Conde Nast to see the potential in the magazine–that would pay homage to African women–he created fictional covers, featuring gorgeous images, but it looks like it wasn’t enough.
Conde Nast has turned down Epanya’s bid for the magazine. “DEAR ALL. The Wait is over. Condé Nast said NO to an African license of VOGUE. So this is the last cover. Enjoy, but it’s a beginning of something,” he posted on his Facebook page.
Vogue is currently published in 18 countries and one region. Condé Nast has not officially commented on their decision. Ironically, Vogue Italia featured Epanya in a full feature.
Obviously, Vogue can still get away with a few editorials featuring Africans and African Americans sprinkled here and there. Although their “Black Issue” flew off the magazine racks in 2008, are you really surprised that Conde Nast rejected the idea?
Want to see more of the fictional covers that Epanya created? Click here.
Thanks to loyal reader Anthony A. for the tip!
45 Responses to “Vogue magazine says No to Vogue Africa”
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Sandra there is no link to view the pictures
Cue the Titanic violin scene
what’s new?
Continuing its racist ways, American Vogue publisher Conde Nast, which publishes Vogue in 19 countries, has declined a request to create a Vogue Africa magazine.
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Africa is a CONTINENT! Why would they create a Vogue Africa when there’s no Vogue North American or Europe or Asia??
….not that this is a big deal with everything else going on in Africa
…that little boy cracks me up everytime…
If ppl don’t see the beauty in black/brown skin their loss. Funny how fair skin ppl chase the sun and tanning beds to attain some ppls natural beauty.
Fluck Vogue. If Vogue said no, then this should be ammunition for the photographer to do it on his own, and become a competitor. :/
CivilEngineer says:
Continuing its racist ways, American Vogue publisher Conde Nast, which publishes Vogue in 19 countries, has declined a request to create a Vogue Africa magazine.
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Africa is a CONTINENT! Why would they create a Vogue Africa when there’s no Vogue North American or Europe or Asia??
….not that this is a big deal with everything else going on in Africa
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Exactly! There are more pressing issues in Africa besides not getting a magazine. War, disease, and environmental disasters are affecting the people leaving them without homes, water, food, adequate healthcare, economic security, and education. If you wanna fight something, fight these things and not a da.mn magazine
mirsmommy says:
Fluck Vogue. If Vogue said no, then this should be ammunition for the photographer to do it on his own, and become a competitor.
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Some ppl can’t think outside the box and create their own calling. Why do ppl bytch and complain when they have a opportunity to make a change.
Anna says:
mirsmommy says:
Fluck Vogue. If Vogue said no, then this should be ammunition for the photographer to do it on his own, and become a competitor.
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Some ppl can’t think outside the box and create their own calling. Why do ppl bytch and complain when they have a opportunity to make a change.
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Exactly!!!!!
@mamacita
Nobody cares about no damm Vogue magazine! It sucks anyway…Can’t stand it! More pressing issues at hand in Africa and everywhere else for that matter!
@Incredible… hahaaaaaa… that little boy is hilarious!! love it when sandra uses that clip of him!
Africa is a CONTINENT!
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@ Civil, Thanks. You don’t know how many times I have to tell people this
However, there is a Vogue Latin America, and many of the countries that the magazine is in are so-called under developed countries so it wouldn’t hurt Africa, but instead it would bring awareness, revenue and help to the Continent.
I agree that there are alot of pressing issues in Africa….BUT…I think this magazine is important to the culture because Africans are tired of being portrayed in the stereotypical images that we see on TV…you know…
People in villages
Babies with big bellies
Starving people
People with AIDS
There is alot more to Africa than just it’s problems…A land of beautiful people, rich with culture and flair…I don’t see why Conde Nast wouldn’t jump on the opportunity
And yes Africa is a continent, but it is also the embodiment of a culture…
I’m not surprised. White supremacist don’t want anyone to know there is beauty in blackness. What’s even worse is that we don’t even see it in ourselves. Besides that Africa has history bigger, and more important than some fashion magazine!
BTW, have any of you ever been to Africa? Did you know they have jsut as much advertisement as we do in America – WITH BLACK FACES?
@ everyone saying there are more pressing issues in Africa,
That is a blanket statement based on what your perception may be. I will bet my life that most of you don’t know how many countries are on the continent of Africa, what problems are specific to what region or anything that is going on over there. You just think they are some poor, jungle bunnies, running around naked all day with spears, wrestling with lions.
Like really EVERYWHERE has issues. And to say that they should focus on other things is just silly. So if live in Africa and you want to be a model, photographer or in fashion you shouldn’t, you should just worry about African issues all day? Like you can’t have a dream or any form of entertainment? Yeah OK
And FYI, some places in Africa are the most expensive places to live in, as in the top 20 places in the world and a country even made the top 10 list for the richest countries in the world. There is so much more to Africa and the magazine would have been a great vehicle to bring awareness
@ Ardent, I agree. And it is really up and coming.
Let’s be honest, the way the magazine industry is struggling right now do you really think Vogue is going to take such a financial risk with their brand? As it stands right now the magazines that cater to our interests are damn near pamphlets! People are sitting here with their lips poked out, but they don’t have a subscription to Essence, Jones, or Ebony.
@Rene Actually National Geographic, The History channel, and The Discovery channel do positive and informative segments on Africa all the time people just don’t watch them because they’re too busy watching “reality” shows
That’s exactly what I was trying to say….Some people act like the same problems don’t exist everywhere!
Personally, I can’t wait to visit Africa….I’m trying to convince my uncle to sponsor me a plane ticket when he goes to Ethiopia (he’s rastafarian).
@Al…aren’t these the same issues Jr. Gong and Nas talked about in that song “Patience”?
AllNYC says:
People are sitting here with their lips poked out, but they don’t have a subscription to Essence, Jones, or Ebony.
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I have a subscription to all three, usually don’t have time to read them faithfully but I get them.
@mama
Yes i’ve seen some…but majority of the docs are based on “village life”, not the metropolitan areas and not really the arts and culture…
@Rene and also they have videos on youtube showing many well developed places in Africa. The information is out there people just don’t take the time to look for them because they’re lazy and expect the media to hand all the information to them on a platter… http : // www . youtube . com / watch?v=826tpNNrCF0
This link shows someo of what people NEVER get to see…BUT there are still pressing issues and a magazine is at the BOTTOM of the list IMO.
@ rene, it really breaks my heart that black people in America feel such a disconnect to Africa. It’s like they hate it but white folks love it and hence that’s why they over there taking it over.
Also, Distant Relatives was one of the best things that has happened in hip hop if you ask me. Nas said they can’t do a part two because they will probably be killed. LOL
Too bad people slept on it tho
@cosigned Al
Some ppl still have the same view of Africa that Europeans did when they colonized it. Its really a shame.
A friend of mine spent six months in s. africa, another in Tanzania, and had nothing but great things to say.
I agree there are problems everywhere….just look in our backyard…but thats not stopping anybody
Mamacita says:
@Rene and also they have videos on youtube showing many well developed places in Africa. The information is out there people just don’t take the time to look for them
I know the info is out there…but that’s my point. You have to search high and low to find it…My comment about the stereotypical imagery was geared towards the mainstream media…that’s where majority of the public gets info and form opinions. And I agree that there are alot of pressing issues…I just know alot of Africans that are tired of being looked at as a charity case…Thanks for the link…and I’ll check it out when I get home.
FYI: Fashion magazines follow where the cosmetic and fashion industry lead.
There is no High Street or Rodeo Drive in Africa (not even in South Africa,) there are not a great number of shopping malls and high end international clothing giants littering Africa therefore there is little demand for advertising pages.
Think about it in South Africa, the powerhouse of the region, local manufacturing is floundering due to a failure to compete with Asia and The Far East with regard to price.
That is why there is not even a South African Vogue. Vogue requires very high-end advertising to achieve the expectations of their European principals. There are no rich pickings; if you didn’t know there are only 2 LV stores in Africa in Jozi and Cape Town.
@Al-Ameera thank you for your comment. I think a lot of us fail to realize how wealthy the continent of Africa is, but because of exploitation many of these countries have been stripped of natural resources that could create prosperous countries. I long for the day that I can go to visit places with ancient ruins not just in Egypt, but take a look at the university and mosque created by King Mansa Musa in Timbuktu. I admire our concerns about our brothers and sisters in the motherland, but the same problems that you are talking about exist over here. As a student teacher I saw first hand students who had to live in shelters, students with no healthcare, and often times had only one meal (which was from school).
@Al
That CD stays in my cd changer…OMG…one of my favorite albums OF ALL TIME! So much lyrical astuteness…so positive and yet extremely entertaining…there is so much to love on that album, yet most people would rather listen to Nicki Minaj and the rest of these “no substance” artists. I love music that makes me think…
They said they’re using all the profits for a charity to go to Africa…I think they plan on building a school.
renegadesince1985 says:
I agree that there are alot of pressing issues in Africa….BUT…I think this magazine is important to the culture because Africans are tired of being portrayed in the stereotypical images that we see on TV…you know…
People in villages
Babies with big bellies
Starving people
People with AIDS
There is alot more to Africa than just it’s problems…A land of beautiful people, rich with culture and flair…I don’t see why Conde Nast wouldn’t jump on the opportunity And yes Africa is a continent, but it is also the embodiment of a culture…
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*Applause*
I’m not making excuses for Conde Nast…but remember its a business first and foremost. Not to say there couldn’t be fashion and style magazines in Africa but there are a lot of factors that are invovled with the launching and maintaining of a magazine.
To really make a profit Vogue would have to partner with local fashion merchants who know what the consumers want…but what local businesses are going to want to do that when they themselves can’t get the recognition because their success would be judged by western views and perspectives.
@SS
Everything is not always about racism…
:/
I really wanted to cancel my sub because of this but I can see Vogue’s side…
Who would advertise there? My subscription doesn’t pay for the salaries…that’s LV, and Fendi, and Tiffany’s…are African’s willing to support or provide viable replacements?
I would support such a venture though. Definitely.
@Mamacita…I still think it has a lot to do with racism though but I agree with @Sugar too.
renegadesince1985 says:
I agree that there are alot of pressing issues in Africa….BUT…I think this magazine is important to the culture because Africans are tired of being portrayed in the stereotypical images that we see on TV…you know…
People in villages
Babies with big bellies
Starving people
People with AIDS
There is alot more to Africa than just it’s problems…A land of beautiful people, rich with culture and flair…I don’t see why Conde Nast wouldn’t jump on the opportunity And yes Africa is a continent, but it is also the embodiment of a culture…
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This is why i flucks with you. I live in “Africa” now and this is one of the few places that magazines still make money. The fashion industry is huge in most of the continent and deserves to be highlighted. Fluck Vogue and their MAMA! We have a few fashion magazines like Arise, Flair and True Love that have already shown that the magazine industry in sub-Saharan Africa is a lucrative and thriving business.
@Karaz I was hoping you would come out of lurk mode…
Al-Ameera says:
@ everyone saying there are more pressing issues in Africa,
That is a blanket statement based on what your perception may be. I will bet my life that most of you don’t know how many countries are on the continent of Africa, what problems are specific to what region or anything that is going on over there. You just think they are some poor, jungle bunnies, running around naked all day with spears, wrestling with lions.
Like really EVERYWHERE has issues. And to say that they should focus on other things is just silly. So if live in Africa and you want to be a model, photographer or in fashion you shouldn’t, you should just worry about African issues all day? Like you can’t have a dream or any form of entertainment? Yeah OK
And FYI, some places in Africa are the most expensive places to live in, as in the top 20 places in the world and a country even made the top 10 list for the richest countries in the world. There is so much more to Africa and the magazine would have been a great vehicle to bring awareness
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@ Karaz, exactly and Hef why you didn’t accept my twitter invite
or whatever it is I sent (still don’t get twitter)
Anyway, I don’t know some of you don’t think fashion is big business in Africa…let google be your friend or pick up a few DVD’s from your local bootlegger, they have and wear the same big labels over there that we do over here.
Oh but I forgot everyone thinks they still running around in leaves over there.
SangriaSugar says:
FYI: Fashion magazines follow where the cosmetic and fashion industry lead.
There is no High Street or Rodeo Drive in Africa (not even in South Africa,) there are not a great number of shopping malls and high end international clothing giants littering Africa therefore there is little demand for advertising pages.
Think about it in South Africa, the powerhouse of the region, local manufacturing is floundering due to a failure to compete with Asia and The Far East with regard to price.
That is why there is not even a South African Vogue. Vogue requires very high-end advertising to achieve the expectations of their European principals. There are no rich pickings; if you didn’t know there are only 2 LV stores in Africa in Jozi and Cape Town.
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I’m sorry you’ve been grossly and I do mean GROSSLY, misinformed. Trust me I am Nigerian, now living in Nigeria, while we may not have a Saks or Bergdoff’s or even janky azz Louis Vuitton store, make no mistake that we are huge consumers of luxury clothing and goods in general. I live in Lagos, arguably the most fashionable city in ALL of Africa, we mix high end Anglo designers with our own high end designers, like Oumou Sy, Deola Sago, Xuly Bet, Ituen Bassey, Jewel by Lisa plus we are the biggest consuemers of hand made custom pieces, but white people won’t call it couture since they’re not making it.
Visit any where in Africa, it will change your mind
@Al-Ameera… umm sorry i haven’t logged on to twitter on the web in a min. UberTwitter doesn’t show me shat. No vex
KaraZ says:
I’m sorry you’ve been grossly and I do mean GROSSLY, misinformed. Trust me I am Nigerian, now living in Nigeria, while we may not have a Saks or Bergdoff’s or even janky azz Louis Vuitton store, make no mistake that we are huge consumers of luxury clothing and goods in general. I live in Lagos, arguably the most fashionable city in ALL of Africa, we mix high end Anglo designers with our own high end designers, like Oumou Sy, Deola Sago, Xuly Bet, Ituen Bassey, Jewel by Lisa plus we are the biggest consuemers of hand made custom pieces, but white people won’t call it couture since they’re not making it.
Visit any where in Africa, it will change your mind
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Well I’m glad you told them cuz that fashion wh*re I live with stays in luxury labels and it’s not just cuz he is here in NYC, I look at pics when he was back home and away at school in Qatar, same thing.
Hell he was living better than my American azz
I dont doubt that Africa has it cause I see it “showcased” in the numerous mags I read. Editors are always painting a white girl and dressing her up in African wares…
Its a matter of this magazine with a questionable past being better than it has been in the past. And that is just not gonna to happen.
Anna Wintour? Cruella DeVille.
I have not been misinformed…I agree with you but please read my comments over again and understand what I said about western business processes. I did not say it could not work…I said Vogue/Conde Nast would have to partner with local business that understand the consumers.
I have have been to Africa…multiple times…mostly for work (Air Force) but I did get out and see the culture and surroundings…spent 5 weeks in South Africa. Chit I loved being there…the food was AWESOME!! I wanna go back.
I’m so tired of black people using the race card in anything they fail to accomplish. The decision to now allow Vogue to have a presence in Africa could be due to many things. Do Africans really need Vogue at this point? They’d rather see organizations invest in their economies, or feed the millions of children who die each year of diseases that could be prevented. Kudos to Conde Neste for assessing the African situation and opting out of digging into their empty pockets hoping to find some change, like many other corporations are currently doing.
Sandra, you seem very intelligent, however you seem to lack the ability to critically examine a piece of information, and maybe offer your objective view. #justsaying
Vogue Africa could definitely work and be profitable. But, let’s be clear — The fashion industry has been and is still racist. The fashion runways have had a blackout for years. Often times, many white-run and controlled companies in the fashion industry don’t want to use black models in their advertisements because they feel it will dilute their brands and turn off mainstream (i.e., white folks) consumers; OR will NOT place their ads alongside ads featuring black models or black-owned companies. Vogue is a business that would still need to attract advertisers which is the life-blood of any magazine. If Vogue Africa had problems attracting advertisers, it would fold before it even had a chance to succeed.
My point is Vogue is a business that’s in the business of making money. The article only mentions the photographer presented Conde Nast with cover mock-ups featuring beautiful sistas. Did the photographer also include a business proposal with forecasted revenue projections, list of potential advertisers (local, regional, national, and international), a list of African fashion journalists, letters from government officials, etc? If he didn’t, then I’m NOT surprised Conde Nast turned him down. If he did, then I’d be on the FCUK Vogue bandwagon too. But, as I stated earlier we don’t know. We can only go on the scant information that was in the article.
The one thing racists love more than hating others is the possibility of making money. The photographer and others who want Vogue Africa to become a reality NEED to show this white-run business that it can MAKE money in this venture.