Italian Vogue featured an all black issue of their magazine in July 2008. The publication hit news stands in Europe on June 26, 2008. The issue features the model Liya Kebede on the front cover and spreads with Sessilee Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn, Tyra Banks, Alek Wek, Chanel Iman, Veronica Webb and Toccara Jones.

"I thought, it’s ridiculous, this discrimination. It’s so crazy to live in such a narrow, narrow place. Age, weight, sexuality, race-every kind of prejudice."—Steven Meisel, Vogue photographerNew York Magazine: All-Black Italian ‘Vogue’ Revealed! (June 19, 2008)

"Perhaps the designers, perhaps the magazine editors. They are the powerful people. And the advertisers. I have asked my advertising clients so many times, ‘Can we use a black girl?’ They say no. The concern is that consumers will resist the product. It all comes down to money."—Steven Meisel, speaking in reference to the lack of black modelsNew York Magazine: All-Black Italian ‘Vogue’ Revealed! (June 19, 2008)

"She said that, as an Italian, she has been intrigued by the American presidential race and Mr. Obama, which was one source of inspiration when she and [photographer Steven Meisel] began discussing, in February, the idea of an all-black issue."—New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn says of editor Franca Sozzani.Radar Online: Barack Obama, Fashion Muse (June 19, 2008)