Vogue magazine’s planned release of the February 2021 limited edition covers, featuring Kamala Harris wearing Converse sneakers and casual clothes, sparked ire on social media, causing users to question why Vogue would choose the image over the more formal online cover featuring Harris in a powder blue Michael Kors suit in front of a gold background.
The backlash came after viewers saw it as widely disrespectful for the vice-president elect. Since most Vogue readers are women, are trying to disparage one another? Don’t we deserve better from our own gender?
The Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givhan wrote: “Vogue robbed Harris of her roses. A bit of awe would have served the magazine well in its cover decisions. Nothing about the cover said, ‘Wow.’ And sometimes, that’s all Black women want, an admiring and celebratory ‘wow’ over what they have accomplished.”
In response a Vogue spokesperson said: “In recognition of the enormous interest in the digital cover and in celebration of this historic moment, we will be publishing a limited number of special edition inauguration issues.”
The news was also shared on Instagram and last week, the editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, explained that the original photo – by Tyler Mitchell, in 2018 the first African American photographer to shoot a US Vogue cover – was chosen for its accessibility and approachability.
Wintour also discussed negative reaction to the photo. “Obviously we have heard and understood the reaction to the print cover,” Wintour told the New York Times, “and I just want to reiterate that it was absolutely not our intention to, in any way, diminish the importance of the vice-president-elect’s incredible victory.” Did Ms. Wintour miss an important opportunity to talk about the bigger issues related to women’s challenges.
According to a November 2020 issue of Oprah Magazine Kamala says “Anyone who knows me will tell you: If I can wear sneakers—and, honestly, even if I can’t wear sneakers—I will wear sneakers. To a fancy work event? Check. To a black-tie wedding? Yep, I’ve done that too. And if I have sneakers on, they’re probably white Kenneth Cole KAM leather sneakers. At any given time, not only will you find a couple of pairs sitting in my closet (in varying degrees of scruffiness), but there will also be at least one set still in the box—purchased simply because they were on sale.”
As I watched yesterday’s 2021 Inaugural events there was a flurry of news reports. Today’s online news reports contain articles on how women and girls are wearing Converse sneakers and pearls to honor Kamala to offer solidarity. Many young women believe her casual dress style makes her more relatable. One report noted, “Having a role model in the White House shows girls like Brooks’ daughters that achievements like hers are within reach.” Perhaps it is simply that Kamala at the age of 56, like most women, are simply tired of being judged for not dressing for the “part” and for simply showing America her authentic self.
It’s 2021 and women in business are still being told to “dress for the role you aspire to” or your “next position.” For many years women in Hollywood have been trend setters in fashion and design, influencers in how women shop and dress. The mixed messages make our heads want to explode. So why can’t a female politician have the same effect on guiding our country’s actions, behaviors and opinions?
Why the double standard for the genders? Below a southern California City Manager in attendance for the 2020 Veteran’s Memorial Service basically wearing casual clothes. He is frequently seen around City Hall and in the community in shorts and sports clothing. The city counsel and community in which he serves has no problem with how he represents himself as there has been no backlash or debate on his dress or style choices. He is yet another example of a man embracing his maleness in an age of toxic masculinity. Society has taught us that the rewards for this kind of thinking is abundant while women continue to be viewed in the world: as victims, as sexual objects, or not being feminine enough.
So, what about us females? There are women with short hair, wearing suits, driving monster trucks, doing IT or engineering as their careers, running for positions as world leaders, and so many more that most people perceive as “male dominant.” What’s wrong with women adopting a more masculine attitude in deciding to dress in a manner where they feel comfortable? Does this diminish their ability to lead? Is it wrong for females to adopt an attitude in 2021 believing we can finally show the world who we really without fearing judgment and retribution?
Please stop judging women and trying to fit them into the boxes of decades past. We don’t care what you think about our style choices and we need our female politicians to be relatable role models. Kamala will own her legacy as she carves her future path and I’m sure all eyes will be watching her…even those individuals who remain judgmental secretly wishing her to fail, while using labels to drive home their point.
Let’s face it…Vogue magazine exists to sell magazines. If they didn’t know the cover of Kamala wearing sneakers and casual dress would cause controversy, then why did they put out two versions? Did they mean to disparage the newly elected Vice President or to break the molds (stereotypes) that still exist for women? We may never know. What is clear is that fact-based journalism is necessary to confront America’s many systemic challenges – from equal pay for women to the racial wealth gap that has always largely operated with impunity. Many believe that bad reporting is the root causes of America’s deepest problems and this essentially needs to be addressed candidly. What do you think?
I would love to hear any other comments you may have seeing double standards. What has your experience been?
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