Vogue accused of making mixed-race model ‘extremely light’

British Vogue has come under fire for allegedly making its new mixed-race cover star ‘appear more light-skinned’.

The first edition of the magazine under its first black editor Edward Enninful features a close-up of Ghanaian-British model Adwoa Aboah in bright blue eye-shadow and a headscarf. 

But critics say the model’s distinctive freckles were only slightly visible and her skin looks much paler than it does naturally.

Critics have complained that Adwoa Aboah’s distinctive freckles were only slightly visible and her skin looks much paler than natural

Quoted in the Sunday Times, one critic, fashion blogger Sharn Rayment, wrote: ‘Is it just us or does she look extremely light and freckle-less in her cover shot?’

The blogger, who wrote the comments on the Shevolution website, added: ‘Compared to many other editorial snaps of the modern-day supermodel, her Vogue cover feels almost washed out.’

Ghanaian-born former stylist Enninful was announced as Alexandra Shulman’s replacement in April, after she chose to leave the magazine to pursue ‘a different future’.

During Shulman’s 25 years as the magazine’s editor, only two black models featured on their own on the cover – Naomi Campbell and Jourdan Dunn. 

When asked about Edward Enninful's decision to select her for the cover of Enninful's first issue, she said: 'My head's going this big. Being on this cover is the biggest thing that's happened in my career'

When asked about Edward Enninful’s decision to select her for the cover of Enninful’s first issue, she said: ‘My head’s going this big. Being on this cover is the biggest thing that’s happened in my career’

Enninful received an OBE in 2016 for services to diversify within the fashion industry. Enninful is close friends with Naomi Campbell, who he has given a role as contributing editor

Enninful received an OBE in 2016 for services to diversify within the fashion industry. Enninful is close friends with Naomi Campbell, who he has given a role as contributing editor

When asked why she did not feature more black models on the magazine’s cover she told the Guardian: ‘You would sell fewer copies. It’s as simple as that.’ 

Enninful was said to be planning a ‘posh girl’ exodus, with a view to diversify British Vogue.

He is the first black, first male and first gay editor of the magazine, which has been running since 1916. 

When asked about Enninful’s decision to select her for the cover, she said: ‘My head’s going this big. Being on this cover is the biggest thing that’s happened in my career.

‘There is this newfound love and space for activism within fashion. I never would have dreamt in a million years that I would have young girls coming up to me at Glastonbury or on the streets of LA, New York, London, and telling me how much GurlsTalk or seeing my picture in a magazine means to them, as a woman of colour.

‘I love being a mixed-race woman in 2017. I feel part of something big. There’s this understanding that we’re all in it together’.

The company teased the cover last Sunday with a trailer featuring behind-the-scenes clips from upcoming fashion shoots as well as words from Enninful himself.

During Alexandra Shulman's 25 years as the magazine's editor, only two black models featured on their own on the cover - Naomi Campbell and Jourdan Dunn

During Alexandra Shulman’s 25 years as the magazine’s editor, only two black models featured on their own on the cover – Naomi Campbell and Jourdan Dunn

Dynamic: The Ghanaian-British model is the first cover star under editor Edward Enninful

Dynamic: The Ghanaian-British model is the first cover star under editor Edward Enninful

The clip drove fashion fans wild, with many saying they couldn’t wait to go out and buy the new issue.

Enninful’s first cover looks very different to Shulman’s last issue, which hit shelves in August.

The September issue was themed around Vogue’s ‘past, present and future’, and featured models Nora Attal, Edie Campbell, Jean Campbell, Kate Moss and Stella Tennant. 

Enninful, who grew up in London as one of six children, was scouted as a model age 16 and has gone on to become one of the most famous faces in fashion, counting Naomi Campbell as a best friend. He has a penchant for partying and is regularly seen at the hottest fashion events.

The journalist was the youngest-ever fashion director for i-D magazine age 16 and has worked for Italian and American Vogue, and served as a consultant on major fashion campaigns, including Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Dolce and Gabbana.

At the helm of W Magazine, he boosted ad pages by 16 percent in 2012.

The new editor, whose mother was a seamstress, was honoured at the British Fashion Awards in 2014 with the prestigious Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator, and he also won an OBE in 2016 for services to diversity within the fashion industry.

Models, and close friends to Enninful, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss have both been given roles at Vogue as contributing editors. 

Enninful's first cover looks very different to Shulman's last issue, which hit shelves in August

Enninful’s first cover looks very different to Shulman’s last issue, which hit shelves in August

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