Many found model’s afro-like hairstyle ‘offensive’ and criticised magazine for ‘cultural appropriation

American Vogue has apologised after a pH๏τoshoot featuring Kendall Jenner was criticised for “cultural appropriation”. The magazine posted images of the model on its Instagram handle, which is where the wave of negative comments first sparked; with people finding Jenner’s afro-like hairstyle “offensive”.

The publication explained how the pH๏τos were meant to evoke a nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of the early 20th century as part of their efforts to promote the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund. “The image is meant to be an update of the romantic Edwardian/Gibson Girl hair which suits the period feel of the Brock Collection, and also the big hair of the ’60s and the early ’70s, that puffed-out, teased-out look of those eras,” the magazine told E! News. It continued, “We apologise if it came across differently than intended, and we certainly did not mean to offend anyone by it.”

Jenner is seen sporting the controversial hairstyle in two pH๏τos, one of which also features model Imaan Hammam, whose hair was straight. Taken by fashion pH๏τographer Mikael Jansson, both images were intended to celebrate 15 years of the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund, an annual prize that rewards emerging designers.

The snaps of Jenner prompted people to ask why the magazine had cast her instead of a model whose hair was naturally styled like that. “For years we have been penalised for our looks and especially our hair, It is a slap in the face when non-Blacks try to imitate our look,” one person commented.

Another added, “We used to have our hair burned because society taught us that we were not beautiful with our afros, now they copy our afros but can’t use actual BLACK models with afros!”

Nonetheless, others came to the magazine’s defence, arguing that the hairstyle wasn’t at all afro-like, with one user writing:  “All the anger about this is nonsense. Even if the intent was to be an afro, it’s hella not! Look at our black kings and queens and Google what an afro looks like! Angry for nothing.” Another person said Jenner’s hair had been “curled and teased” but insisted that it did not resemble an afro.

Jenner herself has yet to respond to the criticism.