My appreciation for Tyra Banks has been well-documented. She’s funny, a bit frenetic, and utterly unconcerned with what anyone thinks about her, except for maybe the hordes of teenage girls who hang on her every word. Unfortunately, but quite understandably, she is also a poor facsimile of Michelle Obama.
Brigitte at Make Fetch Happen had this to say about the September Harper’s spread featuring Banks and a sexy, anonymous, Barack lookalike:
Tyra is no Michelle and the shoot lacks imagination (I’ve seen the “politician’s wife spread more than once this year) but there are some positive things about it.For one, Harper’s got Tyra to peel off that blonde lace-front wig. I mean, sure they just slapped another one on but at least her follicles got to breathe for a minute. Second, color me shocked (!) that two dark skinned black children were used in the editorial. I didn’t know fashion magazines knew what to do with black children save dress them in ‘ethnic’ clothing and maybe photograph them in close proximity to livestock and vacationing models.
The spread falls somewhere between exotic (Look! They’re black! They’re in the White House! And not the kitchen!) and super-normal (Ty-chelle reading to adoring children). It says less, however, about the Obamas, or even America, than it does about fashion’s desire to do things that seem edgy, but aren’t really. It’s all part of the industry’s campaign for relevancy. As unemployment, gas prices, and inflation rise steadily, fashion appears to be an increasingly expensive, and less rewarding, pastime. This shoot could have (and should have) been more interesting, more dangerous, and more provocative; maybe something like the W magazine shoot with Brad and Angie, but Harper’s took the safe, boring route.
At any rate, here are my completely unqualified grades for all responsible parties:
- Harper’s Bazaar:
F, for making spread with such possibility so uninteresting and unironic. - Fauxbama Children:
A-, you guys are too adorable. Now, get out from under that desk. - Tyra Banks:
B+, for putting on a new wig and knowing a good opportunity when you see one. - Sexy, Anonymous Barack Lookalike:
A+, just for being you.
