Italian Vogue To Feature Black Models On Cover

Another door in the fashion industry has been busted open as a top magazine makes a statement against discrimination.

The Italian version of Vogue is putting together an issue completely to devoted to successful blacks in arts and entertainment, including a black model-only cover. The cover is to be shot by famous photographer Steven Meisel. He has shot many successful black models, including Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, and Alex Wek.

The special issue has reportedly come about as a response to both a New York protest group that is trying to fight racism in the industry and Barack Obama's success in the presidential election. The issue was editor Franca Sozzani's idea.

Here in the States, Vogue is also responding to the criticism by featuring an article about the lack of black models. There has been no word of an issue like Italian Vogue's.

Despite the success of Tyra and Naomi (she was one of three most successful models in the 80s and early 90s, along with Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista), there still has been a significant gap between the working white and black models in the mainstream fashion industry.

Jennifer Hudson recently made history by becoming only third black celebrity to cover American Vogue, after Oprah Winfrey and Halle Berry. She is also the only black singer to do so.

Kudos to Vogue Italia for breaking down another boundary!