Fans are calling Anok Yai's new Vogue Brasil shoot a masterclass in lighting dark skin, and they clearly have an audience in mind. Photographed by MAR+VIN and styled by Rita Lazzarotti, the October 2026 editorial sets her rich complexion against electric blues, yellow gowns, and pink floral accents, and commenters say none of it washes her out. One Reddit user told the industry to 'please take note.'
That praise comes amid renewed criticism of Annie Leibovitz's photography. Her August 2020 Simone Biles cover for Vogue drew criticism over lighting that some viewers said washed out Biles' skin tone. Her 2022 portraits of Ketanji Brown Jackson prompted similar complaints. Although the Reddit thread did not explicitly call out Leibovitz, the comparison is difficult to avoid.
Why Is Dark Skin Still Badly Lit in Fashion Photography?
Blame is not straightforward. An opinion piece on the Jackson portraits noted that Leibovitz also photographed Rihanna, Amanda Gorman, and all three of Michelle Obama's Vogue covers, and argued that the magazine's own role in publishing the images deserves scrutiny. A photography site's report on the Biles cover noted that some people defended the photographs as an intentional style.
Anok's own work has fuelled the same argument before. An Allure editorial pairing her with Alex Consani, photographed by Zhong Lin and first published in September 2025, recently resurfaced. Some readers said the lighting in one frame flattered Consani while leaving Anok's face in shadow, and one objected to using a Black model for contrast. Others defended the shoot, praising the photographer's skill with darker skin and describing the pair as yin and yang.
How Does Proper Lighting Change Dark Skin Photography?
Fans on Reddit say the secret is warmth. Photographers, they argue, tend to put Anok against blues and cool tones for a stark, statue-like effect, yet she glows in warmer light.
Comment
by u/citrustaxonymy from discussion
in whatthefrockk
Heavy contrast crushes shadow detail and turns a face into a silhouette, whereas shaping the light on set keeps every feature readable, and the thread credits MAR+VIN with doing exactly that. The praise wasn't unanimous, though a handful of readers felt her face sat in shadow in a few frames.
Comment
by u/citrustaxonymy from discussion
in whatthefrockk
The yellow Dior gown made the case in a single image. Sabrina Carpenter wore the same dress, so the comparison was ready-made, and for at least one fan it looked better on Anok.
Is Anok Yai the Supermodel Fashion Has Been Missing?
Praise for the shoot itself was just as loud as the lighting debate. Commenters called it vivid and artistic, said they had never seen Anok photographed so well, and one declared that the photographer deserved a raise. Another predicted that people would still be looking at the images in 30 years, while a third said one dress looked like pouring paint.
Comment
by u/citrustaxonymy from discussion
in whatthefrockk
Several fans singled out Anok herself, comparing her to the supermodels of the 90s and calling her the best working model right now. One noticed how many different expressions she can get from a single open-mouthed pose, while another wished she showed more.
That enthusiasm doubles as a complaint about celebrity-led covers. One commenter said they were tired of celebrities who pull one face in every frame, while another called for more model-led covers.
US Vogue's 2026 covers so far have gone to Rosalía, Doja Cat, Meryl Streep alongside Anna Wintour, and Gracie Abrams, a run of musicians and actors. One reader said the shoot might lead them to buy their first Vogue in years, and the thread suggests fans will be watching the next covers closely.
