The Most Empowering Vogue Shoots of 2020

By
Abigail P
-

Vogue is more than a fashion magazine. It’s an international beacon of style, culture, and hope. Over the last few months, Vogue has been taking a stand with the Black Lives Matter movement and bringing people together during the pandemic. Here are some of the photoshoots that have us feeling empowered and inspired.

Simone Biles

Simone Biles appeared on the cover of Vogue in print and on the digital platform. If there is one word that describes this image, it is strong. In this photo, Biles embodies female power and beauty through her fierce pose and gorgeous outfit. Everything about this image is beautiful.

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Introducing @simonebiles’s exclusive digital cover for our August issue. With the 2020 Olympics postponed and a shadow hung over American gymnastics, Biles–who is widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time—has had to be resilient as never before. When Biles was first photographed in February and interviewed in March for this cover story, America was also a different place. Since then, the coronavirus pandemic has upended regular patterns of life and #BlackLivesMatter protests have occurred from coast to coast. “We need justice for the Black community. With the peaceful protests it’s the start of change, but it’s sad that it took all of this for people to listen,” Biles said. “Racism and injustice have existed for years with the Black community.” At the link in our bio, Vogue reports on a champion looking ahead. Photographed in Feb. 2020 by @annieleibovitz, styled by @phyllis_posnick, written by @abbyaguirre, Vogue, August 2020

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Yelaine Rodriguez

In this photo, Yelaine Rodriguez reflects on the experience of Black American life. This image depicts the birthing of a revolution with woven brown threads to symbolize the scars of the past.

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For our Artist Statements project, where leading Black contemporary artists reflect on the agonies and the ecstasies of Black American life, Yelaine Rodriguez (@yelaineartspace) writes: "Oshun Orisha of Fertility: Help us Birth Generations of Revolutionary Womxn is a multimedia project that incorporates fashion, handwoven panels, video, and photography. Inspired by Oshun, the orisha of fertility, I conceptualized a wearable art piece in response to the concept of birthing a revolution. The sitter for Oshun wears a bright yellow dress in her honor, with a handwoven cape that brings together indigo blue threads, mimicking the Atlantic water that brought our ancestors to the Americas, with brown threads woven in a fashion that resembles scars. We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors that paved the way and pass the baton forward. So that we may continue to carry the message onward, therefore it may never be lost. The pass of the 19th Amendment was a group effort by women of different experiences, cultures, and economically diverse backgrounds. I am inspired by the Black womxn that, during the early stages of the movement, persevered for a brighter future. They trusted that the next generation would continue the fight. My work aspires to bring awareness to the Black women in the movement through Afro spirituality, traditions, and Afro-futuristic imagery." Courtesy of Yelaine Rodriguez

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Luca Campri

Luca Campri beautifully captured his perspective on rural China in this stunning photo. During the shoot, Luca had no electricity or internet connection. This image reflects on the beauty of simplicity in rural China.

Billie Eilish

Seeing Billie Eilish on the cover of Vogue is a sign of how pop culture has changed. Eilish looks moody and brooding on this daring neon green cover that showcases the edgy side of modern pop.

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COVER OF VOGUE MARCH ISSUE

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Joan Smalls

This photoshoot of Joan Smalls symbolizes hope through beauty. There’s something pure and romantic about this image that champions a future that is more beautiful than the past. Joan’s headdress re-imagines the protective face-covering in a creative, ultra-feminine way.