Naomi Campbell: Launch Vogue Africa

Supermodel Naomi Campbell believes that the renowned fashion magazine Vogue should finally have its African edition, as this would acknowledge the contribution of the black continent to the global fashion industry, which has recently faced criticism for its lack of diversity.

Campbell, during her visit to Nigeria’s main commercial city, Lagos, where she participated in a fashion show as part of the fashion week called ‘Arise Fashion Week’, stated that there is a need for better representation of the black continent in the fashion world.

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“I think it is finally time to launch Vogue Africa,” she said in an interview with Reuters. “We have Vogue Arabia, which I consider a step forward in the fashion industry,” said the famous model, referring to the magazine aimed at readers in the Middle East, whose first issue was released last year.

“Africa has never had such an opportunity… an opportunity for fabrics, materials, and the distinctive design of Africa to be embraced on a global level, and I think that is wrong,” said Campbell, a British-born woman aware of her roots.

No one from Conde Nast International, which publishes Vogue, was available for comment.

The global fashion industry has faced criticism in recent years because most models on runways and in magazines, as well as fashion designers, are white, who also run major fashion houses.

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“People need to understand that skin color does not affect whether someone will be successful in their job,” Campbell said.

As a positive example of change in this area, she cited the appointment of the first black editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful, originally from Ghana, in April last year.