Vogue Came to Brooklyn
LJ | Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 7:10AM 
In the latest issues of Vogue, there's an article entitled “A Distant Shore." While the title sounds like it could be a piece about the latest travel location, it is actually about the magazine’s expedition to our borough. The article is preceded by a photo essay of beautiful people from the upper echelon who -- shocker! -- actually live here now. It seems Brooklyn has become so hip that even Vogue cannot deny it, even if they walk across the bridge with their noses pinched and are careful not to touch anything.
The article seems to be about eight years too late. Writer Jeffrey Steingarten generically describes hipsters with little imagination -- “The spirit or brand can still be identified by the hipster, who can sometimes be identified by a narrow-brimmed fedora, white earbuds and skinny jeans.” -- and deems neighborhoods such as Bushwick and Sunset park as “disfavored” and “distressed.”
It seems that Vogue decided to write about Brooklyn against its will. And while few will be surprised that this hailing fashion magazine won’t cheat on Manhattan with it’s sister borough, I am amused at the air with which Conde Nast’s most popular publication chose to write about a neighborhood so trendy it has become an adjective. Are they attempting to put Brooklyn in its place? Do they think that Middle America has become too fond of a borough full of gentrification, locally sourced coffee and artist lofts?
The irony in the article is the how the attitude reflects on Vogue. The shore that is distant is not that of Brooklyn, but of the offices of the fashion magazine which, with this article, has continued to established itself as a magazine that only explores the entirely mainstream, easy-to-consume, pop-into-the-microwave-and-eat-in-30-seconds-fashion. To disregard a borough that is now home to many, if not most, of New York’s artist and designers is to separate oneself from the future of creative production in the city.
Vogue, I expected more of you. Beyonce was just on your cover. Do you know where her hubby is from?
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