WARNING: NSFW Content ahead. (Nudity)
This past summer, a new trend* surfaced online called the #VogueChallenge. It was a creative way for BIPOC to showcase their work (in modeling, beauty, fashion, art, etc.) through powerful imagery using the famed publication as a template. This artistic event gained traction during the height of the #BlackLivesMatter movement early this summer following the unjustified murder of George Floyd. To read a little more in depth on this artistic movement, Vogue and Centennial Beauty both have articles posted on their sites. To show support for #BlackLivesMatter, please visit the Black Lives Matter Global Movement page.
This visual trend* caught on with people of other backgrounds and became an online global phenomenon. A microinfluencer on Twitter (@ChristyMi92) who participated in this event caught my eye with her version of the Vogue cover using glamour shots of herself. The photographs she had were absolutely beautiful, but the composition was lacking and I felt she deserved more.
I messaged her privately, and asked if I could redesign her covers for her. I wanted nothing in return. She agreed and emailed me her photos. I worked for about an hour and emailed the finished pieces right back.
The work was easy, of course, after studying a few real Vogue covers using Google’s image search. I applied some of the type treatments seen over varying styles of Vogue covers, including international issues to get to the final results.
She was very happy with the outcome and posted them that same day. The reach wasn’t as large as she had hoped, but the point she was trying to make was that as a transgendered woman, she had a place in the beauty industry as well. Having these #VogueChallenge covers and posting them online would help her create the footprint she wished to have in the sands of the world in which she was determined to be.
Below from left to right are the original cover Christy designed, followed by the three I made for her. Permission was granted for me to post these.
*The word trend is italicized, because the movement and its origins should not be viewed entirely as a trend, fad, or anything that refers to something that is temporary. The history and background discuss how the #VogueChallenge gave black artists a worldwide platform to share their best work and those same artists who create do not create for temporary recognition. They deserve the same success as anyone else in their field, be it photography, modeling, beauty, fashion, whatever. Some beautiful recreations can be found across social media platforms (search using the hashtag) or in articles found via Google Search, such as this one from The Cut.
Although the #VogueChallenge has simmered down over the summer months, I am still open to helping any artists who want to participate see themselves or their work on a cover that’s made just for them. Please email me at michelle@heytheremichelle.com to inquire and use “#VogueChallenge” in the subject line.