Vogue India Answers Kendall Jenner Cover Critics For 'Heated Summer' By Mario Testino

Kendall Jenner Fronts Vogue India's 10th Anniversary Issue In 'Heated Summer' By Mario Testino

Vogue India celebrates its 10th anniversary with Mario Testino at the helm as guest editor, creative director and photographer for the celebratory issue. Testino and Vogue India editor Priya Tanna tap 'it girl' Kendall Jenner for the cover and this editorial 'Heated Summer'. Sara Jane Hoare styled Kendall for the shoot at Samode Palace near Jaipur, India.

Coming on the heels of her tone-deaf Pepsi ad, I personally find the Twitter furor over Kendall's cover to be a bit much and the entire conversation of cultural appropriation moving out-of-control. My most important question is how many people reading Vogue India -- and hopefully large numbers of them live in India -- are making these judgement calls? My sense is that Americans, in particular, have made themselves the global cultural appropriation police and they are so entrenched in mental boxes as to believe that only Indian models should appear in Vogue India. 

In all seriousness, ballerinas were furious that Kendall posed as a ballerinas, given her lack of training. Talk about living in a tight box! And actors? What are the rules social media proposes for female actors? Who are these people and what have THEY done with their own lives?

With regard to the Vogue India furor, the editor put these social media screaming banshees in their place, writing: 

 "In the last 10 years, Vogue India has had only 12 international covers, including Kendall Jenner, in 2017. Therefore, statistically, 90 percent of our covers are Indian! And we are proud of that." What's more, the brand adds, "India has given the world so many beautiful faces to admire. After all, we are Vogue, an international brand, and we want to give the love back by featuring some of the best international celebrities on our covers. Occasionally! :)"

Note that my use of the words 'screaming banshees' is not meant to dishonor the wailing women of Ireland. That will be next -- and a reason why AOC does not have comments.

Banshee means ‘Faerie woman’.  A Banshee is known in Ireland as a female spirit who wails outside a home to warn of the imminent death of a family member.  Often heard before she is seen, her wailing is that high-pitched that nobody would dare to willingly attempt to witness this terrifying spirit.

In Ireland, the Banshee does not bring or cause death but warns loved ones that a death is near which gives the family a chance to prepare. Some believe that she acts as an escort to ensure that their loved one passes safely to the other side.