Vogue Italia illustrates its January 2020 issue

ByNora Syrjanen

03 January 2020

*No photoshoot production was required for the making of this issue.

Vogue

Italy

Illustration

Vogue Values

Vogue Italia starts the new decade with nostalgia. Taking inspiration from the pre-photographic era, the entire January 2020 issue and its covers are illustrated. This is the first time Vogue has done this since the introduction of photography in its pages in the early 20th century. The purpose of this rather bold move is, simply, to be more sustainable.

“One hundred and fifty people involved. About twenty flights and a dozen or so train journeys. Forty cars on standby. Sixty international deliveries. Lights switched on for at least ten hours non-stop, partly powered by gasoline-fueled generators. Food waste from the catering services. Plastic to wrap the garments. Electricity to recharge phones, cameras...” Emanuele Farneti, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia lists what it took to put together the eight fashion editorials seen in the brand’s September 2019 issue.

To Farneti, “intellectual honesty” is the most important. “In our case, this means admitting that there is a significant environmental impact associated with publishing a fashion magazine.” The illustrated covers are just the first step to a more greener Vogue Italia, as the brand will also change its packaging to a more sustainable, 100 percent compostable plastic wrapping in the following year.

The seven unique covers are all illustrated by different artists. The artists include David Salle, Vanessa Beecroft, Cassi Namoda, Milo Manara, Delphine Desane, Paolo Ventura, and Yoshitaka Amano. The models featured in head to toe Gucci (e.g. Lindsey Wixon, Olivia Vinten and Ambar Cristal Zarzuela) were all styled by stylists. The Italian team wanted to show that art and stunning fashion imagery can be created without causing any costs – travel, shipping or waste – to the environment.

The Vogue Italia issue is a part of Vogue Values, a set of principles signed by all 25 Vogue Editors-in-Chief in December last year. Other Vogues have also dedicated their January issues to sustainability, diversity and respect towards nature and each other. In 2019, Condé Nast also signed the UN Fashion for Global Climate Action initiative and made packaging pledges as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastics Economy Global Commitment.

Here’s to a new, beautiful and more sustainable decade.

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