(Ad) Dressing issues II

Vogue Italia, in their August 2010 issue feature models covered in oil, bearing tortured expressions. Although reminiscent of Shakira's sensual music video, "La Tortura," the picture is far from beautiful. The colourless photographs depict a stark tragic reality.

The sense of disgust some of us would get on seeing these photographs is perhaps the intention of the photographer. The models represent the suffering of marine and wildlife, that have been adversely affected by the recent oil spill. The viewer is compelled into thinking about human nonchalance towards the environment and creatures inhabiting it. Steven Meisel, through his lense seems to be commenting ironically on human detachment from nature.

This shoot manages to brilliantly merge current affairs with fashion- depicting a deeper issue, while at the same time, not compromising on the glossy fashion aspect. These pictures certainly prove that fashion is not only about glamour. Design, like any other form of art can be used as a medium to create social awareness and raise questions pertinent to our times.

This is not the first time that Vogue Italia is attempting to make a social commentary through their magazine. They have previously dealt with the economic recession issue and the Twitter phenomenon.