Vogue apologises after Kendall Jenner photoshoot is criticised for ‘cultural appropriation’

'We certainly did not mean to offend anyone'

(Getty Images for Longchamp)

American Vogue has apologised after a photoshoot starring Kendall Jenner was labelled “cultural appropriation” by critics.

The magazine posted the images of the model on Instagram, where they sparked a wave of negative comments from people who found Jenner’s afro-like hairstyle “offensive”.

In a statement, the Condé Nast publication explained how the photos, which had been taken to promote the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund, were meant to evoke a nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of the early 20th century.

"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 on Tuesday.

"We apologise if it came across differently than intended, and we certainly did not mean to offend anyone by it."

Jenner is seen donning the controversial hairstyle in two photos, one of which also features model Imaan Hammam, whose hair was straight.

Taken by fashion photographer 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 penalized about our looks and especially our hair, It is a slap in the face when non-Blacks try to imitate our look," one person commented.

"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!" added another.

Others came to the magazine’s defence, arguing that the hairstyle wasn’t at all afro-like, with one person 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 criticisms, but the reality star is no stranger to controversy.

In 2017 she starred in an ad for Pepsi, which depicted the model joining an ambiguous protest and offering a policeman a can of the fizzy drink, which he received to riotous applause.

The clip generated a huge backlash, with people labelling it “tone-deaf” and “insensitive”; it was soon removed by the brand, who apologised for “missing the mark”.