Vogue magazine under fire for 'tone deaf' 9/11 post on 25th anniversary of tragic attack

Vogue has come under fierce fire for posting a 'tone deaf' photoshoot on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

The fashion magazine took to Instagram on Friday to share a series of throwback photos that appeared in the November 2001 issue of Vogue, less than two months after the tragic September 11th attack.

The images featured model Karolína Kurková posing around New York City wearing patriotic clothing and holding American flags.

Vogue encouraged fans to 'revisit' the issue, which discussed the impact that the attack had on Fashion Week, to 'mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11.'

'Up until September 11, 2001, the New York collections during fashion week had proceeded with predictable doses of giddiness and tedium. Then came Tuesday,' the caption read.

'All shows were canceled, and it was not until the following week that the industry felt able to go on, in a sober, scaled-back form. 

'To mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, tap the link in our bio to revisit Sally Singer's "Amazing Grace," originally published in the November 2001 issue of Vogue.'

Some people felt the post was not appropriate, however, and took to the comment section to slam the magazine.

Vogue magazine was accused of being 'tone deaf' after it shared a series of photos that featured model Karolína Kurková posing around New York City holding American flags on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The Instagram post, seen here, sparked immense backlash

The images initially appeared in the November 2001 issue of Vogue, which discussed the impact that the attack had on Fashion Week. Stock photo of shows the World Trade Center shortly after being struck by the planes on 9/11

'A bit tone-deaf on a day when the weight of collective grief still feels anything but historical,' one user wrote. 'Kind of unnecessary?'

'Unbelievable,' another simply said, while a third person penned: 'Yikes.'

'Tone deaf, babe,' read a fourth comment.

A different user stated: 'Meanwhile Harper's Bazaar posted a beautiful article detailing people remembering where they were, how they supported the community of New York, and how the fashion community came together.'

'Hey Vogue, it's not too late to reconsider this post. It clearly doesn't have the impact you were going for,' another person commented. 

'We appreciate the sentiment but this is not it,' another chimed in.

'This is what happens when you have a Gen Z who wasn’t born yet running socials for Vogue. So tone deaf. It’s not too late to rethink this post,' someone else wrote. 

'Who approved this?' wondered a different user. 

Some people felt the post was not appropriate, however, and took to the comment section to slam the magazine. Model Kurková is seen in 2024

Others, however, praised the photoshoot as 'epic' and 'beautiful.'

The original article described the bleak fashion shows that took place a week after 9/11. 

'Punctual, celebrity- and goodie-bag-free, these events constituted a new kind of fashion moment,' the article read. 

'All the designers made a few grateful and sorrowful remarks, and all asserted their unshakable commitment to city and country.

'For those of us with bottled-up grief and an unspoken hunger for hope, the shows offered catharsis, as well as a bracing example of indomitable resolve.'

The issue was designed to 'offer a preview of American fashion for spring 2002' and the article went on to describe the trends that were rising in prominence – as well as the ones that were out.

'It goes almost without saying that recent trends such as black and military and urban warrior have lost much of their too-cool, too-knowing appeal,' it read. 

'This doesn't mean that we can't wear all those fabulous items we bought for fall - the combat boots and pseudo-armor jackets and Cossack coats - but we'll have to do it in a way that acknowledges the intrinsic beauty of their design. 

'Much has been made in the culture pages about how the attacks signaled the end of irony in American popular discourse. It would be a shame if fashion lost its humor and sly, subversive streak. 

'Defeatist fashion is the last thing we want - and, it so happens, the last thing that our American designers would think of giving us.'

One image featured Kurková standing on the roof of a building with the skyline behind her as she proudly held an American flag. 

She dressed in black, high-waisted pants and a white tank top, completing the look with a red, white and blue headpiece.

Another picture saw her standing in an all-white suit adorned with American flag pins as she stared at the camera.

Other photos showed her standing in a white dress and cowboy hat in front of a flag backdrop and sitting on a red, white and blue blanket on a roof.

In a fifth snap, Kurková posed with a bald eagle as she donned a lacy tank top and a black skirt.