Top Black Models Pose For Vogue Italia's 'Black Allure' Spread (PHOTOS)

Vogue Italia cast a bevy of black models in its "Black Allure" spread, which hits newsstands in the glossy's February issue. Ajak Deng, Chanel Iman, Arlenis Sosa Pena, Jourdan Dunn, Melodie Monrose, Lais Ribeiro, Rose Cordero, Mia Aminata Niaria, Sessilee Lopez, Joan Smalls and Georgie Baddiel all strike a pose in the latest Versace, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin and Dior.

Editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani blogged on the topic of diversity in modeling last week, writing:

There isn't a problem and it's not a problem in fashion either. There is no discrimination. I've explained many times this argument in my posts, in December for example when the Washington Post mentioned Vogue and Vogue.it as a publication that cares for black girls, and comparing the great success of Eastern models to the lack of black models in the industry. Prejudice? Absolutely not.

Iman, Naomi, Liya Kebede, Alec Wek and many others are a proof. Lazyness in the research or scouting? This yes. No other reason.

We continue to give it more space in the magazine and website. The truth is that real beauty doesn't care for skin color or nationality.

Take a look at images from the editorial by Emma Summerton and for the rest, head over to Vogue.it.

Comments

[reluctantWASP]

09:56 PM on 02/09/2011

Her statement might be true for Italy, but it certainly isn't accurate for the U.S.

[ValdaDeDieu]

06:58 PM on 02/09/2011

Why are they all wearing the same type clothes? Why not some in leather pants, some in mini's, some in snug, some in shorts? I like the idea. Execution gives one pause for thought. But, hold THAT thought--let me take a gander inside...

[PC0207]

02:56 PM on 02/09/2011

Simply beautiful...

[Lahonda]

12:01 AM on 02/09/2011

Aaaah, nubians!

[WarriorLemming]

03:19 AM on 02/09/2011

haha, here's some music for your looking pleasure. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOashdJAAO4

[Donna Stylekande]

11:26 PM on 02/08/2011

Beautiful pictorial, www.stylekande.blogspot.com

[elayneL]

07:26 PM on 02/08/2011

Is that a hut?

[OBAMAMOI]

03:58 PM on 02/08/2011

Foorgive me for being a cynic...exploiting the color code for financial survival

[nerakami]

01:55 PM on 02/08/2011

what's up with so many models having this real angry look.. just don't get the angry scowl.. maybe once, but its showing up over & over again.. not my fave look on anyone's face, model or otherwise

[godwithin]

01:18 PM on 02/08/2011

Cannot condone the forced use of harmful drugs, cigarettes.

[FiredUpRTG]

11:48 AM on 02/08/2011

Are they all regularly featured in the other 11 issues or are crammed into one a year?

[getreal23]

11:18 AM on 02/08/2011

Beautiful. At least I can comment here (Style) without being censored?

[Courtenay Jones]

10:14 AM on 02/08/2011

Could you imagine Anna Wintour doing something like this? LOL...also my Daddy always asks me why I want to go to Italy so bad because racism is horrible there. But if Italian Vogue could manage to have a whole spread on black women I don't know how much I could be targeted? Or treated like an outsider? I don't understand...

[godwithin]

01:15 PM on 02/08/2011

On the contrary, racism is worse in the US. I'm from Italy, never heard the n word till I got here.

[eggygen]

06:44 AM on 02/08/2011

Now, thats how you add soul and character not to mention color to a prêt à porter!

[MyDawg1967]

05:47 AM on 02/08/2011

FEED THEM!!!

[Lahonda]

12:02 AM on 02/09/2011

Soup's on!

[Disdain]

10:06 AM on 02/09/2011

That's just wrong! lol