The heavily publicized "Black Issue" of Italian Vogue has become such a hit in the US it's Conde Nast has printed 10,000 additional copies. A milestone, this is the first reprint of a title in the history of Conde Nast Publishing. Upon closing the issue, ad sales for this particular edition were up over 30 percent even, although many of the advertisers placed white models in their ads. Editor Franca Sozzani remarked on the issues success:
“America ... is ready for a black president, so why are we not ready for a black model?”
American Vogue has had just 34 black women on its cover in its 116-year history, always citing poor sales as the reason for a lack of ethnic diversity. When Jennifer Hudson graced its cover last year for Vogue's "Power" issue, she was only the third black celebrity to be on the cover. Released in conjunction with the historic Italian Vogue, the July American Vogue features a six-page spread, focusing on racism in the fashion industry. The article highlights the careers of runway and editorial heavyweights Chanel Iman, Arlenis Sosa and Jourdan Dunn. (images from the Italian issue below, click to enlarge)
