If we review the history of fashion since the 1970s and zero in on famous supermodels from Christy Turlington to Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista, we will find liberal use of spray tan on white models. In fact, it was Coco Chanel herself who turned upside down the elitist notion that tan skin was associated with working class laborers of every skin color -- often peasants working in the fields. Coco said basta to that idea, perferring a sun-kissed look that eventually became an entire industry dedicated to manufacturing the perfect tan. If this act is deemed the ultimate transgression in cultural appropriation, take it up with Coco, but note that all medical research says that 'safe' exposure to the sun is essential for good health. Hiding under a sun parasol to keep one's skin porcelain-perfect is bad for one's longevity.

Enter Gigi Hadid, a very hot model -- a supermodel say many -- and she gets tan blasted for the May 2018 issue of Vogue Italia. Shot when winter continued to bear down in the Northeast and Gigi hadn't spent a week in St. Bart's, the Vogue Italia team turned to what they've done for decades: fake tan for a hot-body, summer fashion editorial like the ones done by supers for decades. Nada! Nada! Nada! Cultural appropriation -- no worse than cultural appropriation. Black face, which carries a whole lotta racist insinuations with it.

The thing is, the very folks who are screaming know what black face is and what it isn't. If in doubt, I suggest tuning into the Netflix series 'Dear White People' (which I am watching), and you will see what black face really looks like. It's not Gigi Hadid stepping away from the tanning machine for a sizzling photo shoot by Steven Klein.

With all the problems in America and especially for people of color, I simply cannot believe that intelligent people are using their precious time making the argument that white models can no longer look tan in a fashion editorial. And for people arguing that fashion is anti-women of color, let's celebrate a new day for models of color and hope it lasts. AOC bends over backwards to feature these models, but if we did a pure count in fashion editorials and runways, we might find them to be disproportionately getting more exposure right now. GREAT, and I pray it's true!

To land on Gigi Hadid, as if she (or any model or supermodel) has the power to shut down a photo shoot costing $100,000 or more in many cases because she refuses to do blackface -- when it never occurred to her that she was doing blackface given 50 years of top models before her doing sexy, tan body fashion editorials -- is absurd. What in goddess name are people suggesting now? That white women cannot suntan or be fake tanned? Magazines must get a model of color? If big business doesn't kill our creative spirits, the cultural-rules, social media police will surely finish us off. Dialogue would be far better -- let us debate the topic like intelligent people.

In this case, the debate topic would be: Affirmed that white women (or biracial women who appear more white than black) no longer be allowed to tan their skin; nor is media of any kind allowed to photograph them in a tanned condition; nor are the transgressors allowed to take family photos with their children on vacation with tanned skin -- lest they inculcate racist beliefs and norms in their children that it's okay for white people to get a suntan, or go blackface.

We will debate the question as informed advocates for each side.

What's that Washington Post post-Trump banner: Democracy Dies In Darkness. Actually, within the context of this rant, the alt-right would probably take my thoughts and WaPo tag line out of context and run with them. Seriously, though, you must admit that Franz Kakfa could write one-hell of a small novel around this debate topic, a social critique bordering on utter madness. Think waking up as a roach in 'Metamorphosis'.

For Hadid, it was just easier to apologize for her transgression -- and she has more than a few crimes. As for the argument that she isn't recognizable, she looked like Gigi Hadid to me the minute I saw the cover. BUT, in most circles, it's a compliment when models can morph from one image into another. The less recognizable the better, because it shows she has range.

Gigi Hadid's apology explained: "The bronzing and Photoshop is a style that S Klein has done for many years and I believe was what was expected from the shoot (to show me in a different way creatively), but, although I understand what Vogue Italia's intentions were, it was not executed correctly, and the concerns that have been brought up are valid."

"Regardless, I want to apologise because my intention is never to diminish those concerns or take opportunities away from anyone else, and I hope this can be an example to other magazines and teams in the future."

Vogue Italia addressed the controversy also: "

"Throughout its history, Vogue Italia has respected and encouraged the creative viewpoints of commissioned photographers.

"In our latest cover shoot by Steven Klein, the vision was to create a beachwear-themed story with a stylized bronzing effect.

We understand that the result has caused some debate with our readers, and we sincerely apologize if we have caused any offence."

Notably, photographer Steven Klein has had nothing to say about this craziness, at least based on Google. But as a provocative, talented artist, I'll bet he thought plenty and said more than a few curse words at the social media, cultural appropriation police under his breath. ~ Anne