MILAN -- Gigi Hadid and Vogue Italia have separately apologized for the May Vogue Italia cover showing the top model with a darker skin tone and hair colour that set off a social media backlash and underlined the lack of diversity in the fashion industry.
Hadid, in a post on Instagram Thursday, said diversity needs to be addressed and she does not want "to take opportunities away from anyone else."
The cover shows the normally blond Hadid with dark hair and heavily bronzed skin, wearing a tiara and sequined jumpsuit.
She said the cover shoot by photographer Steven Klein, including bronzing of her skin and digital editing of the photo, "was not executed correctly and concerns that have been brought up are valid.
"I want to address this for those who were offended by the editing/retouch/coloring of the cover. Please know that things would have been different if my control of the situation was different," the model said. "Regardless, I want to apologize because I never want to diminish these concerns."
Vogue Italia said Klein's "vision was to create a beachwear-themed story with a stylized bronzing effect," adding that "we understand that the result has caused some debate with our readers, and we sincerely apologize if we have caused any offence."
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) May 3, 2018
I don't particularly care for Gigi (because I know her so well lmao) but this is insane to get mad at...the cover was for Vogue ITALIA, so yes they 100% made her look Italian WHILE STILL BEING CAUCASIAN. Saying this is blackface downplays actual instances of it occurring smdh https://t.co/XWzFkXv8Ct
— CoachKT (@kheazy_) May 3, 2018
@GiGiHadid as a model it is your duty to let other models who deserve that image lead & decline work that doesn’t fit you naturally. Be selective of the image you depict You are a role model to many young girls we expect you to lead by example ♥️ #Vogueitalia
— Paiy Hansra (@fabpaiy) May 3, 2018
You are a famous enough name to get final say on a photograph. time to have it written into your contract in all deals in the future. Foolish to not do it anyway.
— r2no (@r2no2) May 3, 2018