The #vogue challenge more than a hash tag

Riya Yadav, INN/Gwalior, @infodeaofficial

If you’re opened up social media this week, you’re likely to have seen a slew of new Vogue “covers”. The DIY front pages stem from the #voguechallenge, viral endeavors that reimagine what the glossies they mimic could be.

The content offers a peek at photographers on the rise, aspiring models, and anyone willing to open up Photoshop and have a little fun.

The faux -covers envision vogues from the countries yet to have an imprint, a range of cover subjects more diverse than anything fashion has attempted thus far, and a wealth of painting and illustrations.

 While this isn’t the first time people have taken it upon themselves to create their versions of existing magazines the early aught saw similar undertakings on online forums like The Fashion Spot and Live journal communities – this specifically highlights creators who were historically excluded from the conversation.

It’s no secret that the photographers behind the majority of magazine covers are white and male. Few women, people of color and non-binary individuals have ever been granted those opportunities.

It was only two years ago that Tyler Mitchell became the first African American photographer to shoot a cover story for vogue with September 2018 starring Beyonce and many firsts still have yet to come. Likewise, the people depicted in fashion imagery tend to also reflect a narrow subset of the population.

Beautiful images posted online every day but, the symbolism of the vogue logo adds another layer.  While the scope of the challenge extends too far beyond the entity, invoking one of the recognizable names in fashion sends a message.

People often forget the images inside a magazine, or on social media but never a cover. It is the one platform where your images are standing alone to be celebrated.

There is proactiveness to the challenge rather than wait for fashion to take notice, the entrants took matters into their own hands.

There’s a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson about manifestation. It says “once you make a decision the universe conspires to make it happen.”

A London based photographer whose portraiture merges the ethereal with the soulful. “I guess you could say this was a way for me to put it out to the universe and that someday it won’t just be a challenge.

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