*Note:  I'm still working on this letter to make sure it is on point before I actually mail it out. ;-)  Thanks for your support*

Dear Anna Wintour

     I want to first congratulate you for your 20+ years of being Editor-In-Chief of Vogue Magazine. I grew up on this magazine and the articles on fashion news, tips, and gossip has sparked a creative passion in my life.

     I am writing to you along with signatures of other Vogue readers and fashion followers asking you to consider featuring more women of color (Black, Asian, Indian, and Hispanic to name a few) on future covers of American Vogue.

     I came across an article on page 304 of the September 2009 issue of Vogue. The title was “Face of Change” a story on Beverly Johnson-Vogue's first Black cover model in 1974. I thought to myself how exciting that time must have been as women of color all over the world got to feel and see positive representations of themselves featured in one of the most respected publications in women's fashion. I felt that same excitement when in July 2008 Italian Vogue put out its first 'all-black' issue, an issue profiling all Black models. According to Time Magazine's Jeff Israely, “After the original run of the July issue sold out in the U.S. and U.K. in 72 hours, Vogue Italia has just rushed to reprint 30,000 extra copies for American newstands, another 10,000 for Britain and 20,000 more in Italy” (Time.com) This information debunks any misconceptions that Black models can't sell products or magazines.

     After watching movies like Devil Wears Prada (a movie that is supposedly based on you) and your 60 Minute interview with Morley Safer in May 2009, it is apparent that you make the final decision as to what articles are featured and what designers and models are used in the magazine, and I believe you have the power to bring about change.

I am writing to you along with signatures of other Vogue readers and fashion followers because we are ready to see change. We are ready to see women that also look like us on the cover of your magazine. What good reason is there that it should be acceptable that women of color are not adequately represented in fashion? In an industry that we support. Unless there is a reasonable answer we will continue to speak up and speak out!!!

Thank you so much for your time,

Kia Renee'

Fashion Writer/Blogger at www.dmvunplugged.com

And other Vogue Readers and Fashion Followers

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