Kamala Harris’ second Vogue cowl marks a major transformation in her type and message, coinciding with the upcoming US presidential election, the place she’s presently polling towards Donald Trump.
Wearing a pointy mocha-coloured go well with by Gabriela Hearst, paired with a plum satin shirt, Harris strikes a relaxed but commanding pose. Sitting cross-legged in a chair upholstered in a tender blue shade, she gazes straight into the digital camera with a delicate, figuring out smile. The picture, captured by famend photographer Annie Leibovitz, represents a stark distinction to Harris’ first Vogue cowl in November 2021.
On the time, Harris had simply been elected Vice President and was photographed standing in a extra informal outfit—black skinny denims, a Donald Deal jacket, and low-rise Converse sneakers. Caught mid-laughter, the picture was criticised for its informality.
The New York Occasions described it as “decidedly unfancy,” whereas The Hollywood Reporter claimed Harris’ staff had anticipated a unique photograph, one the place she was wearing a lightweight blue go well with towards a gold backdrop, which was later featured contained in the journal, as reported by CNN.
The informal portrait stirred controversy on social media. “She deserves a canopy, however a a lot better cowl than this,” one consumer commented, whereas one other added, “Can we redo this?” In response, Vogue defined that the casual picture was chosen to focus on Harris’ “genuine, approachable nature,” a key characteristic of the Biden-Harris administration.
Nonetheless, some critics weren’t glad. Nigerian-British photographer Misan Harriman commented on Instagram, “I do want you’d give these alternatives to the numerous superb Black ladies photographers on the market.”
Leibovitz has confronted criticism previously for her portrayal of Black and Brown topics, with some arguing that her lighting selections, akin to in her shoot with Zendaya in April, washed out the themes’ pores and skin tones.
For a lot of of Harris’ supporters, this newest cowl appears like a redemption from the criticism of her first. She is now portrayed with the seriousness and gravitas that her position calls for, “suited, booted, and with out a Chuck Taylor in sight.”
