Vogue Italia Advocates for Sustainability with Illustration January Covers
Vogue Italia is making a statement about sustainability with its January 2020 issue, which features — wait for it — no photoshoots.
Wait, whaaat? Yes, you read that right. Vogue Italia is starting off the decade by skipping the high-fashion editorial spreads, evocative shoots in locations we could only dream of, and models on the cover altogether in a bid to be less harmful to the environment.
As reported by The New York Times, the magazine's editor-in-chief, Emanuele Farneti, explained the decision as such in his editor's letter. “One hundred and fifty people involved. About twenty flights and a dozen or so train journeys. Forty cars on standby. Sixty international deliveries. Lights switched on for at least ten hours nonstop, partly powered by gasoline-fuelled generators," he wrote. "Food waste from the catering services. Plastic to wrap the garments. Electricity to recharge phones, cameras…”
Instead of photoshoots, the magazine opted for an equally gorgeous and eye-catching option for its cover: illustrations by artists including Vanessa Beecroft, Cassi Namoda, Milo Manara and others. The illustrations retain the magazine’s high fashion allure while reducing its carbon footprint. Covers feature drawing versions of models posing in designer clothing from Gucci, which Farneti admitted was an effort to “show clothes without photographing them.”
In total, Vogue Italia’s January issue features seven different covers. “No photoshoot production was required in the making of this issue," the cover line reads in each of them. The inside of the magazine also features no photoshoots.
The fashion industry has been making major steps towards sustainability as of late. In December of 2019, all 26 Vogue editions signed a "Vogue Values" pledge regarding their mission. "Vogue looks to the future with optimism, remains global in its vision, and stands committed to practices that celebrate cultures and preserve our planet for future generations," reads part of the pledge. "We speak with a unified voice across 26 editions standing for the values of diversity, responsibility and respect for individuals, communities and for our natural environment.”
Brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Prada also joined together, signing the "Fashion Pact" in efforts to reduce their impact on the climate and environment. While we've still got a long way to go, it's inspiring to see industry leaders taking a stand and forging new, creative ways to be more sustainable while still celebrating creativity and design.
Check out all of Vogue Italia's covers below.
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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
