The latest issue of Vogue features a black man on the cover for the first time in the magazine's 116-year history. And people couldn't be angrier.
Not simply because LeBron James appears on the cover of the famed fashion mag, but because of what he's doing. You see, his mouth is open, which makes him look "threatening." And with an open mouth, an arm around Tom Brady's not-black lady friend, and a dribbling basketball by his side, this cover is seen by some as offensive.
The picture reminds people of an iconic image from King Kong. Only if Kong had a killer crossover and the movie covered his thoughts on what to wear and how to stay in shape.
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| Threatening? Racist? Try Marketing 101. (Provided to CBSSports.com) |
That's just how things work. I'm not justifying the photo, I'm not defending Vogue, and I'm sure as hell not buying the issue just because they put a dude on the cover for the third time since the turn of the previous century. I'm just saying that anyone screaming about "WHY!" they chose such an "offensive" image should know this: It's Marketing 101.
But the worst part about the controversy is that it's distracting people from the actual article about LeBron and Gisele. Want controversy? Check out what Gisele had to say about her cover co-star: "He doesn't really make you feel small, even though he is big."
Yikes! Tell that to Tom Brady.
And not to be outdone, here's what LeBron had to say about Brady's lady: "That's why she's the best; she has fun while she's doing it."
No joke, these are actual quotes from the article. I hear Vogue wanted to title it "How to Wear a Fellow Athlete's Girlfriend," but they figured one controversy per issue was enough. Stirring the non-clothing pot isn't really what they're about.
What they are about however, is fashion. And since this issue is all about the convergence of sports and fashion, it would have made sense to feature fashion tips from actual sports icons. Definitely would have made for a more interesting read than discovering that LeBron's stylist is happy that he's "well proportioned."
As far as I'm concerned, Vogue missed a big opportunity, and I for one would have liked to read the following articles in their sports vs. fashion issue:
No neck? No problem!
By Jose Canseco
Complement that swoosh!
By Tiger Woods
Clothes that won't get stained when making it rain
By Pacman Jones
Still look like a winner when you become a loser
By Tom Brady
Stylish shoes size 48 and up
By Yao Ming
What to wear with immovable hair
By John Calipari
Clothes to match every flavor of Gatorade
By Peyton Manning and Derek Jeter
Sweater vests? F@#$ yes!
By Bobby Knight
My fashion idol, my wife
By David Beckham
Fashion do do-rags!
By Manny Ramirez
Dress for no success!
By Isaiah Thomas
Durable underpants and you
By Takeru Kobayashi
The sweatshirt: A love story
By Bill Belichick
Orange I glad I wore that jacket?
By Bruce Pearl
Ring, schming! That "fierce" kid from Project Runway made me a shirt!
By Tiki Barber
Look fine without getting fined
By David Stern and Allen Iverson
Removing the French toast smell from your quick
By LaDanian Tomlinson
Ten? Try on my 20-gallon hats!
By Roger Clemens
Caught up in fishnets!
By Oscar De La Hoya
Pants that don't make me say ouch
By Kaz Matsui