Vogue Italia’s April issue was released yesterday with a completely blank cover as a response to the developing Covid-19 crisis.
Editor-in-chief Emanuele Farneti confirmed on Instagram that although there was an April issue already in the works it was quickly shelved in order to make a more appropriate response to current events.
Farneti writes “to speak of anything else – while people are dying, doctors and nurses are risking their lives and the world is changing forever – is not the DNA of Vogue Italia.” Farneti says the white cover represents respect, rebirth, the uniforms of health workers working putting their lives on the line, and a blank page for a new beginning.
As the Vogue Italia cover makes clear, the fashion industry is continuing to be upended by the pandemic, with many brands ceasing their scheduled production to pivot to mask and protective gear production, and reports showing a steep decline in revenue for some of the biggest luxury companies such as LVMH.
