Styled with a pompadour mullet and a very dark tan (oy, on both counts), model Daria Werbowy appears on the October cover of Vogue Russia, photographed by Willy Vanderperre. According to images from the accompanying editorial, which have been posted to the tFS forums, the model is meant to be channeling pop legend Prince.
The title of the spread translates to “Known as Prince.” The intro copy reads, “Jackets with epaulets, bows, platform shoes: Fashions of the 80s superstar shown through the eyes of our contemporary street style.” That’s a rough translation, but you get the point: Vogue Russia wanted to pay homage to Prince and show how his iconic style is still relevant today.
The fact that Werbowy manages to make the mullet look almost cool is a testament to her modeling ability, but you couldn’t say the same for the second skin of bronzer piled on by the creative team (led by stylist Sarah Richardson, with makeup by Yadim).
On the cover, the Ukranian-Canadian model’s tan is merely weird, but in the accompanying editorial (you can see it in full here) some shots are borderline-offensive. Prince has never publicly confirmed his ethnicity (he may be biracial, he may be African American), but he is certainly a person of color and Vogue Russia could have hired any number of black or multiracial models to represent him without the bronzer.
Related: Casting Directors: Here Are 23 (Amazing) Non-White Models You Should Hire
