Beyonce Darkens Skin for L'Officiel Magazine

By The Editors of StyleList Posted Feb 22nd 2011 10:45PM

Beyonce Knowles has made waves in the past when L'Oréal lightened the diva's complexion in cosmetic ads, but now the superstar finds herself amid fresh controversy after darkening her skin.

As a celebration of its 90th anniversary, French style magazine L'Officiel Paris is featuring the 29-year-old on its cover as a tribute to Nigerian human rights activist and musician Fela Kuti.

In what the magazine calls, "a return to her African roots," Beyonce's face "was voluntarily darkened" for the shoot.

L'Officiel Paris adds, "Far from the glamorous Sasha Fierce, the beauty posed for the magazine with amazing fashion designers' clothes, but also in a dress created by her mother ... all the pictures will be available in the collector edition, on sale at the end of this month." Watch a video of the controversial photo shoot after the jump.

Not surprisingly, debate has erupted all over the Internet, arguing whether the shoot is an artistic tribute to a beloved hero or a racially tinged insensitivity by a star looking to cash in on a top-selling magazine cover.

"While this is not blackface in the traditional sense, it still raises many questions. Why didn't she go whole-hog and have her body painted, too? Is this yet another case of how much fashion loves blackface? Is it still blackface when the woman is black? Is it still offensive when it's meant as a tribute?" wondered Dodai Stewart of Jezebel.

Yet others view the shoot as a piece of art.

"Sometimes people are way too sensitive. Black stars are made to look lighter on television every day with makeup and lighting, and no one complains. Whites get tans. Models do photo shoots where they have to portray a race other than their own. So what is the problem with this? It's a beautiful artistic creation. I love it, and yes, I am a dark-skinned black girl," says one reader at TheUrbanDaily.com.

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Tags: beyonce, LOfficiel Magazine

Comments

(7)

Tuesday 22 February

By J

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"lIs it still offensive when it's meant as a tribute?l wondered Dodai Stewart of Jezebel."

What a stupid question. How could it be? The only way a black woman wearing dark facepaint in tribute to one of that color could be offensive is if being that color is inherently offensive. To have even asked that question is more racist than Beyonce's dress-up.

Wednesday 23 February

By JEB BUCKINGHAM

Maybe Beyonce should re-record her rendition of Michael Jackson's "Am I Black or White?" song.

By L'OFFICIEL MODE

Thanks for the post !

L'OFFICIEL is very proud to present its March issue featuring Beyoncé in African-inspired dresses and jewelry by top designers, including Gucci, Azzedine Alaia, Fendi, Pucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Rodarte, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier and Lanvin. Designer Tina Knowles, who is also Beyoncé's mother, created a one of a kind couture piece. The designs are all reflective of the African influence on fashion this season. Miss Knowles poses with royal allure. A queen, a goddess, Beyoncé is a bombshell beauty with a divine voice. We're thrilled she's opening a season of celebrating the 90th anniversary of L'Officiel de la Mode. The series was conceived as using art and fashion in paying homage to African queens.

Beyoncé mentioned the artist Fela Kuti in the interview as one of her musical inspirations. It was later misquoted as the inspiration for the shoot. We would like to clarify that it is not the case. As for the artistic makeup, the inspiration came from several African rituals during which paint is used on the face. We find the images beautiful and inspiring.

L'Officiel would like to thank Beyoncé for her outstanding contribution to this celebration of African influences in Fashion.

By ANG

BEYONCE , IAM HERE FOR U BABY , THE KEY IS UNDER THE MAT

By mannequin

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And she must darken her skin to reflect her African roots? I think we already get the idea that she's black.

By Bonbon

The other day she looked like she bleached her skin, now it looks like she put a ton of bronzer and self tanner over the bleached skin, oh boy, Michael Jackson incarnate!!!!

Friday 11 March

By LaBelleAfrique

I am a natural born African woman and I do find this offensive. Not all Africans are dark-skinned; hence, this is a stereotype. I have african friends much lighter than Beyonce, so am not sure how that suggests tapping into her African roots. The clothes would have been enough but changing skin color is not acceptable - it's more vain than anything. Beyonce did this before in "Dream girls" (the movie) portraying Naffatti and i was offended by that photoshoot as well.

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