Numero Magazine has once again found themselves in some hot water regarding their latest editorial fashion spread with 16-year-old model, Ondria Hardin. Their first run-in with an offensive spread was back in 2010 when model Constance Jablonski was photographed looking very, very tan, wearing an afro, and cradling an African American child. Some argued that she her skin was just photoshopped to look that way, but between the wigs and the child, it’s hard to see the shoot as anything but intentional.
Lesson learned? Not so much.
This time around Numero featured the young Caucasian model highly bronzed, and the spread was given the title, “African Queen,” which makes it clear which direction they were trying to go in. While the photographs are stunning, we have to wonder why Numero didn’t just opt to hire a black model instead. Between Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, and Selita Ebanks, there are plenty of beautiful ladies out there for them to choose from.
Do you think it’s racially offensive, or just a boundary-pushing example of high fashion?
