Franca Sozzani Responds To Accusations That Vogue Black Is Racist.

• In an op-ed recently published to Business of Fashion, writer Jason Campbell  argues that the fashion industry’s continued problem with racial insensitivity is exacerbated  by sites like Vogue Black. Campbell says the online destination is racist and ghettoizes black fashion by keeping it separate from Vogue Italia’s regular content. He adds that the existence of the publication is at odds with the work of the Diversity Coalition, whose “aim is to have a variety of ethnicities in the same lineup, creating a rainbow presentation that reflects the diversity of beauty that exists on this planet.” He compares Vogue Black to the Jim Crow south, in the days when “separate but equal” was the law of the land. Franca Sozzani got wind of Campbell’s criticisms, and promptly responded with a blog post on Vogue Italia, in which she says she is “surprised” that accusations of racism are being thrown her way, particularly when she’s been so supportive of increasing the visibility of blacks in fashion. “Bethann [Hardison] is a former black model who today scouts for new black faces. Who does she collaborate with? With Vogue Black. And for whom did Naomi go to Dubai to raise funds for Ethiopia? For Vogue Italia!” Sozzani enlisted the help of her black friends Naomi Campbell and Bethann Hardison to vouch for her, both of whom firmly stand with the editrix. “To compare Vogue Black as to the days of southern segregation…”black and white fountains” is [offensive] to me,” Ms. Hardison writes.  ”Since I experienced it and others only heard or read about it, I resent the ignorant.” Hmm… what do you guys think of this mess? (BoF, Vogue.it)