Why Kendall Jenner being the Cover of Vogue India is a Big Deal

There's yet another controversy within the fashion world. If you haven't seen it yet, Kendal Jenner is the cover model of Vogue India's 10 anniversary.

Let me repeat myself: KENDALL JENNER is the COVER model of Vogue INDIA's 10th ANNIVERSARY. Not only is cover model Kendall Jenner non-Indian, but the cover gown (although beautiful) reigns from French brand, Saint Laurent collection. Let that sink in.

When I see this news, two immediate questions come to mind: Was an Indian model/actress/singer not available? Or what about an Indian fashion designer? The issue isn't that Kendall is not a beautiful model. Girlfriend has worked hard for her model status, regardless of her last name and famous sisters (take that h8teRz). But the message Vogue is sending in its Kendall choice is that Indian women are not adequate enough to fill the fashionable shoes of its own country, even on its own prestigious anniversary.

Afterall, the reason why there are sub-series of Vogue such as Vogue Italia, Vogue India, Vogue Mexico, etc. is to provide a direct outlet of cultural identity and celebration that is severely lacking while main publications continue to lag behind. So by putting a white model and French fashion gown on India's magazine cover is basically a huge bitchslap in the face. That's as if you were to go to Nike's 50 year anniversary launch party rocking an Adidas tracksuit! The backlash against the cover was so immediate, (and frankly expected), that WWD put together a list of social media outrage.

So what's the solution to these (unfortunately) too common occurrences of blatant cultural insensitivity? Speak out. Be vocal. But not disrespectful. Discuss why accurate representation is important. We are a new generation who have access to information and connections to outlets like never before thanks to social media (#godbless), but with that comes great responsibility. Ya damn right I'm quoting Spider-Man!

What are your thoughts on Vogue India's cover disaster? Who really deserved the cover? Read more about this cultural hot mess from teenvogue.