The debate over a casually styled, dimly lit Vogue cover photo of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has been rustling across social media since Sunday morning. On Monday, Harris’ team confirmed it was not pleased with the image it says was not green-lit as the most fitting for the international magazine’s cover.
Vogue, run by controversial editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, devoted the cover of its February issue to Harris, but her team says the shot of her slightly smiling and wearing a black pantsuit and Converses in front of a pink drapery is not the image the country’s soon-to-be No. 2 leader agreed upon with the publication. The Vogue February cover has been panned by some and celebrated by others. Those in favor of the cover say the image captures the approachable style of Harris. Others say the photo does not depict the first Black woman to become vice president with grace or grandeur.
Harris’ camp has not said what its thoughts are of the photo chosen by Vogue. However, they have confirmed, according to The Associated Press, that the digital cover featuring Harris in a powder blue power suit instead of the more casual attire was their pick for the print cover.
Harris’ team was unaware the cover photo had been switched until images leaked late Saturday, according to a person involved in the negotiations over how Harris would be featured on the cover. Harris’ office declined comment, and the person spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity.
In a statement, Vogue said the decision for the more casual cover was to capture the “authentic, approachable nature, which we feel is one of the hallmarks of the Biden-Harris administration.” Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian descent, posed in the light blue suit in front of a gold backdrop for the magazine’s cover.
She also posed in front of a pink and green background for photos that were planned for inside the magazine, the source said. The backdrop’s colors were chosen to represent Harris’ historic college sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, of which members offered much support in last year’s election.
The person with knowledge of the negotiations said Harris’ team has expressed to Vogue its disappointment over the magazine’s decision.
The digital cover, some have said online, does not make up for what some have described as the “atrocious” choice for the front of the glossy print publication.
Some have commented online that the widely criticized image offers readers and citizens an image of a political maven who is a “real human” versus the often-airbrushed, styled look of others on Vogue covers.
Vogue has released both images online, but the photo of a sneaker-clad Harris is the one that will grace the cover of the fashion bible’s print edition. Harris is set to be sworn in as vice president on Jan. 20.
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