Africa's Black Beauty in a New World by Rafael Pavarotti for Vogue UK February 2022 AOC Fashion

We share the entire fashion story ‘As the World Turns’, completing a visual narrative of a celebratory moment in which the February 2022 issue of British Vogue features nine first-generation, African origins models in a first-ever, fashion cover statement.

Models include Abény Nhial, Adut Akech, Akon Changkou, Amar Akway, Anok Yai, Janet Jumbo, Majesty Amare, Maty Fall, and Nyagua Ruea,

British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful styled the shoot and originated the concept behind the fashion story, surely in collaboration with photographer Rafael Pavarotti [IG] . / Hair by Virginie Moreira; makeup by Ammy Drammeh

We Have Relative Silence About the Covers

When I first wrote about the covers last week, I knew about the brewing controversy over the perceived ‘darkening’ of models on the covers.

After addressing some of the absurd accusations about Rafael Pavarotti’s competency as a photographer and Edward’s as an EIC, I erased my comments in the original post — because I was furious over the criticism. When furious, I’m not editorially even-handed.

My own preference was to let the British Vogue February 2022 covers stand in all their African models beauty, knowing that the entire fashion story would allow me to speak later. Now that we see the entire fashion story ‘As the World Turns’, I do believe the symbolism, intention and nuance behind the artistic project is clearer.

In terms of the larger community, people aren’t quite sure what to say about the artwork. Expressing myself in words has never been a handicap for me, so I will revisit my thinking in an online world devoid of nuance, living in the moment and with minimal knowledge of history.