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It seems on the Internet and with many of my fellow bloggers the anticipation of the Italian Vogue all Black issue has caused quite a stir. Yet, I have not really heard from any Italians? Hmm I wish I could find some Italian blogger’s to hear what they think. If you know of any Italian bloggers please send me the link.

Well one of the best commentaries that I have read on the issues is the NYtimes blog

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/mens-fashion-the-new-black/

Even though the blog discusses Men’s fashion in Milan and Donatella Versace cast “two” black models in her runway show and called it “an reverence to Barack Obama”; a few days later DSquared collection with references to Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Mohammed Ali and references to various rappers portrayed by back-in-the-day photographer Jemel Shabazz. In Milan, from Etro to Gucci all followed suit, mixing prints, embroideries and skin colours from all over the world. Black is Back and it all went back to the Vogue Black Issue.

How do I feel about this a bit happy and a bit iffy? As a women of colour who works in Fashion, “it’s hard out there for a pimp” sometimes especially when you don’t see others like you, you have to be better then the rest! A lover of Fashion whom hardly ever see’s her reflection in the industry, is the drive to never give up on her dream.

Italian Vogue hmm. Is this just a PR stunt to detract from the skinny bitch issues? To get more press in a time when America might finally see a black President? Be the first to call Michelle Obama a style icon? Here in France there have been many articles comparing her to Jackie O, even a lay out comparing their style look for look. I too loved Michelle in that Purple number with the black belt, so SITC!

The book ‘To Be Young Gifted and Black’ by Lorraine Hansberry comes to mind. Have people of colour been given a wake up call by fashion again? Fashion has always been a reflection on what is going in the world. People of colour want to be heard. In response to the Italian Vogue what is the big deal! Another thing I don’t understand is Trace Magazine has run a Black Girls Rule issue every year and never got as much press. Is it because it was an urban mag? I think Vogue is late, as is the rest of the world. Black Girls Rule, Brown Girls Rule, Red Girls rule, and so do Yellow Girls I guess that’s what it means ‘To Be Young Gifted and Black’ patient.

If you didn’t know “Black Girls Rule

The most anticipated issue of the year Italian Vogue www.style.it for that matter in a long time hits Paris, France on the 9-10 of July at WHSmithwww.whsmith.fr. Just in time for the end of Couture Week.

Another logical reasons to pick it up, for Couture is another realm to conquer, since women who buy Couture don’t see the end of the Rainbow for coloured girls.

Agora Agora Presse in the Marais is not taking orders, you will just have to be lucky here.

Bets are on Jourdan Dunn for the cover. Let’s have a race to see who get’s there hands on one first!! GO!