Vogue magazine is facing criticism for a social media post commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The fashion publication shared a series of throwback photos from its November 2001 issue on Instagram, which featured model Karolína Kurková in patriotic attire.
The images depicted Kurková posing in New York City, holding American flags and wearing red, white, and blue accessories. The accompanying caption invited followers to "revisit Sally Singer's 'Amazing Grace,'" an article originally published in the November 2001 issue that discussed the impact of the 9/11 attacks on Fashion Week. "To mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, tap the link in our bio to revisit Sally Singer's 'Amazing Grace,' originally published in the November 2001 issue of Vogue," the post stated.
The original article described a somber mood within the fashion industry in the wake of the attacks, noting that shows were canceled and subsequently held in a scaled-back form. It touched upon emerging trends and the post-attack cultural shift, questioning whether it signaled an "end of irony in American popular discourse" and cautioning against "defeatist fashion."
However, the decision to share these particular images on the anniversary date prompted a strong negative reaction from some social media users. Critics described the post as "tone deaf," "unbelievable," and "Yikes." Some users contrasted Vogue's approach with that of Harper's Bazaar, which they stated had posted a "beautiful article detailing people remembering where they were, how they supported the community of New York, and how the fashion community came together."
One commenter wrote, "A bit tone-deaf on a day when the weight of collective grief still feels anything but historical." Another user suggested, "This is what happens when you have a Gen Z who wasn’t born yet running socials for Vogue. So tone deaf." The sentiment of inappropriateness was echoed by others, with one person stating, "We appreciate the sentiment but this is not it."
Others defended the post, with some users praising the photoshoot as "epic" and "beautiful." The images themselves featured Kurková in various patriotic ensembles, including a black outfit with a red, white, and blue headpiece, an all-white suit adorned with flag pins, and a white dress with a cowboy hat in front of a flag backdrop. One photograph showed her with a bald eagle.
The controversy highlights the delicate balance brands must strike when engaging with sensitive historical events on social media platforms.