Vogue Lets Indian Poor Fendi For Themselves

It seems that Vogue have decided to develop a Social Responsibility Programme, by photographing exclusive designer bags and clothing being modelled by the Indian poor. Classy.

Vogue India editor Priya Tanna’s response to those critical of this? “Lighten up.” And, “You have to remember with fashion, you can’t take it that seriously.” And, “We weren’t trying to make a political statement or save the world.”

Now, I could go all moral philosophy on this one and talk about how you should treat people as an end in themselves rather than a means to an end. But do I really have to? When the VOGUE creative team decided to build a shoot around putting $10,000 dollar bags on the arms of poor people, then claim the images aren’t political?!? C’mon guys, this is disrespectful, tasteless, and also rather neatly highlights why you can’t creatively play with political issues and then claim that you’re not being political. “I’m not being political, but…” operates in the same way as “I’m not being racist, but…” does – as a massive flashing neon sign declaring that yes, you very probably are, but you’re either too dense or too ashamed to admit it.

Now, for some interesting work made in India, about farmer suicides (something pointed to in that NY Times article), by Laura El-Tantawy

(With thanks to photographer, Dave Bird, for pointing me to the Vogue piece)

duck UPDATE:

This story is about 3 years past its sell by date. Sorry. (there’s a good lesson for you out there)