The glossy is celebrating its 90th anniversary, and Beyonce marks the occasion with an homage to Nigerian musician and humanitarian Fela Kuti; Beyonce's husband, Jay-Z, is a producer on the acclaimed Broadway musical "Fela!," based on the icon's life, music and courageous defiance against government corruption. In a statement , L'Officiel describes the Feli-inspired photo of Beyonce -- sporting blackface, tribal paint and a dress designed by her mom -- as a "return to her African roots, as you can see on the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened."
Not everyone is a fan of the editorial vision and tribute to Kuti; the image simultaneously inspires and provokes. Writes Jezebel's Dodai Stewart: "It's fun to play with fashion and makeup, and fashion has a history of provocation and pushing boundaries. But when you paint your face darker in order to look more 'African,' aren't you reducing an entire continent, full of different nations, tribes, cultures and histories, into one brown color?" See full article here
So, my take on it?? Hmmm well aside from the obvious offensiveness, I'm just trying to figure out why the hell they thought this was a good idea. Instead of finding a gorgeous chocolate woman who ACTUALLY HAS THAT SKIN TONE, we have to see Bey ass ONCE AGAIN in the spotlight. I'm sorry but I think this is bullshit! Why not have a huge group of Beautidul African women of different shades and hues and just INCLUDE Beyonce? And since WHEN is blackface a fashion statement? Where is Spike Lee?? What happened to being yourself in pictures and being proud of the skin you have? If they arent trying to look white and getting their skin brightened for the cover of magazines they are getting air brushed to look smaller. What the hell is society doing???
So is this Blackface fashion statement a cool idea and I'm exaggerating, Cuz I do that sometimes?? Or is this some grade A bullshit!?
Saw an episode fo Bizarre Foods on Tuesday in which they visited Nigeria- saw several examples of Nigerian women- modern and traditional. the Himba mostly stood out. They use the crushed powder from a rock which is red in hue to serve as a protective mask on their skin and hair. Nothing black like that pictured above. So- not saying I'm an expert, but i don't kneo where they do that at either!
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