How #voguechallenge showed us that the editorial world needs to pull up!
During a pandemic and the biggest social movement of our time, Oslo based student Salama Noor created the #voguechallenge with the caption “Being black is not a crime”. This powerful image was striking at a time when many brands are being held to account regarding a lack of diversity and representation within their organisations. Ironically, the hashtag challenged Vogue and other editorial brands to pull up, starting a movement that highlighted the talent, creativity, and beauty of Black models and photographers.
Photographed by Culvin
Within a week the #voguechallenge took social media by storm by 10th June Vogue its self published the “Turn Yourself Into A Cover Star With The Vogue Challenge” Where they stated:
“Necessity, it seems, really is the mother of invention – and, with a bit of creativity, there’s nothing stopping you from taking a beautiful portrait.”
- HAYLEY MAITLAND
UK Based Photographers
International based photographers
Followed closely by acknowledgements by Multiple Execs Resigning Over Racial Issues, Anna Wintour Apologizes For ‘Intolerant’ Behavior. It is clear that mainstream editorial do not put diversity and social justice and its core. Instead this lead many creatives across Instagram and twitter and tiktok to create the #blackmagazinechallenge & #EssenceChallenge. Putting a spotlight on black magazines that have always supported black causes and creatives.