Anok Yai and Alex Consani's photoshoot has resurfaced online almost a year after it was originally published, prompting a fresh debate over race, representation and the use of visual contrast in fashion imagery.
The editorial, photographed by Zhong Lin, was originally published as part of Allure's coverage of the two models on 23 September 2025. The images were shared again on Reddit's r/Fauxmoi around two days ago, reigniting discussion among users over the way Yai and Consani were presented together.
The reaction has been mixed, with some commenters questioning the lighting and composition while others praised the shoot for celebrating the models' contrasting features and skin tones.
Fans Debate the Use of Contrast
One Reddit user criticised the imagery, writing: 'sorry, but I hate to see black model used as contrast.'
The commenter later clarified that they did not consider the photoshoot particularly outrageous, but said it was 'still part of the pattern' and expressed frustration over how dark skinned Black women are portrayed in magazine imagery.
Others focused specifically on the lighting. One commenter argued that 'there's a definite contrast that's off putting especially given the choice of lighting', while another said that in one photograph, 'the lighting is all flattering to Alex and shadows Anok's face'.
The comments reflect individual interpretations of the editorial rather than evidence that Yai was deliberately positioned as a visual contrast to Consani. Neither the photographer nor the creative team has publicly stated that this was the intention behind the imagery.
Several users, however, disagreed with the criticism and praised the shoot for making use of the models' differences.
One commenter said they were actually drawn more strongly to Yai, while another described the pair as 'yin and yang', pointing to differences in their features and overall styling rather than simply their skin tones.
Others praised the treatment of Yai's complexion, with one user highlighting the makeup and another praising the photographer for demonstrating skill when lighting darker skin.
The discussion therefore has not produced a single consensus, with some users seeing the contrast as uncomfortable while others believe it adds visual interest and showcases both models.
Anok Yai's Earlier Comments Add Context
The renewed debate also comes against the backdrop of comments Yai made in the original 2025 interview about her experiences as a Black model in fashion.
Yai spoke about frequently entering rooms and feeling like 'a token', adding that she was often 'the Black model or the Black artist'.
Her comments provide wider context for why some Reddit users were sensitive to the visual treatment of the images, particularly when discussing whether darker skinned Black women are still being positioned in relation to lighter skinned models.
Consani also addressed the representation of darker skinned models, saying there are not many dark skinned models at Yai's level and describing the treatment of dark skinned girls in fashion as upsetting.
The pair have also previously rejected suggestions that there was tension between them, with both describing their relationship as supportive rather than competitive.
The timing is central to the latest story. The images themselves date back to September 2025, but the debate being reported is a new reaction to the older editorial after it resurfaced on Reddit around two days ago.
Rather than a controversy that began when the photos were originally released, the current discussion reflects a fresh online conversation about how Black and white models are visually presented together in fashion photography.
