July '08 Italian Vogue will feature all black models

The entire July issue of Italian Vogue will feature black models exclusively. Newly discovered 17-year-old Jourdan Dunn will grace the cover.

Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani told the UK's Independent, "Nobody is using black girls. I see so many beautiful girls, and they were complaining that they are not used enough."

When asked if she thought there might be some backlash in Italy, which has had an increasing "uncomfortable" relationship with its immigrants, Sozzani was blunt: "Maybe in our country it is not the best idea. But I don't care. I think it is not my problem if they don't like it—it's their problem."

Neal Hamil, director of Elite Model Management, called the concept "a milestone" and said he hoped the issue would have a "huge effect" on the industry.