In an apologetic letter sent out Thursday, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour expressed regret to staff over the times she and the publication have improperly addressed racial issues.
“I want to say plainly that I know Vogue has not found enough ways to elevate and give space to Black editors, writers, photographers, designers and other creators. We have made mistakes too, publishing images or stories that have been hurtful or intolerant. I take full responsibility for those mistakes,” Wintour wrote.
She continued, “It can’t be easy to be a Black employee at Vogue, and there are too few of you. I know that it is not enough to say we will do better, but we will — and please know that I value your voices and responses as we move forward.”
Questions of racial bias have plagued the Vogue editor for many years.
Wintour took over as editor of Vogue in 1988. It wasn’t until 2018 that a black photographer shot a cover photo for the publication. At that point, Vogue had already been around for 125 years.
Conde Nast, the publication’s parent company, has a “Diversity and Inclusion council,” but its chair is Wintour herself.
Fellow Conde Nast employee Adam Rapoport, editor-in-chief of Bon Appetit, resigned Monday after an unflattering photo surfaced of him wearing brownface.
