Tasteful or Tasteless? Vogue’s Oil Spill Photo Spread

Posted by Nikki | Monday August 9, 2010

The September 2010 issue of Vogue Italia features a 24-page spread of model Kristen McMenamy in oil-soaked clothes posing as a dying animal.

The photographer, Steven Meisel, was clearly portraying the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, but is this an appropriate way to draw attention to the disaster?

A featured fashion item in the shoot (not covered in oil) is the seaweed-style necklace that is on the cover and in many other shots. The necklace was made by an eco-designer, Kathleen Nowak Tucci of My Sister’s Art. The necklace is made from recycled inner tubes sourced from the Gulf Coast.

Highlighting an eco-designer and drawing attention to the oil spill could mean that Vogue’s intention was to inspire its audience to help the cause and to make donations. However, many other people think that Vogue’s intention was merely to create a publicity stunt and therefore in very poor taste. See the full spread here.

What do you think of the photoshoot: Thought-provoking or tasteless?

*All photos via Refinery29.com

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4 Comments

	on August 10, 2010 kath_ryn 1,145 said: I think fashion and photography are not just about trends and style, but also a medium to express feeling and discuss issues. While some of the photos from the full spread were disturbing and in my opinion tasteless, many were not and, in-fact rather effective. I felt strong emotions while viewing most of these pictures and those emotions evoked are what will inspire people to take action.
	on August 10, 2010 megroo 451 said: Im on the fence with this one. While on the one hand, showing a suffering model, paralyzed in thick oil may help to visually awaken readers to the devastation of the spill, it also seems a little tasteless in the fact that it is a fashion shoot whose main intent is to show off pieces of fashion. I like how Vogue is showing some eco concious designers (such as the Kathleen Nowak Tucci piece) but I think it could have been done in a more appropriate manner. The real deal is that the effects of this spill are disgusting and that tons of marine life is in danger or already dead. Perhaps emulating this in a fashion is not the best idea.
	on August 10, 2010 Loyalt 3,381 said: Are these the mermaids effected by the oil spill? RIP :( On a more serious note I think its insulting to even try to make a buck off this tragedy and we all know advertising is about the money. So shame on Vogue.
	on August 09, 2010 Bubblybunny 4,709 said: Mmmm...I'd have to say Tasteless. I think it's great that Vogue is being more environmentally conscious and I think they do have good intentions. But I found these images rather repulsive. I have seen plenty of pictures of animals covered in oil, I don't need those images portraited by a person. I think if they really want to do an effective campaign, they can ask their models to actually go to the oil spill sights and help out with the clean-up. Or do fashion shows with aquatic animal themes to help raise money to save these animals. Then write up an article with nice looking pictures. Wouldn't that be more effective (and more pleasant) than having them lying around a bunch of rocks and pretending to be a dead bird?