I think fashion and photography are not just about trends and style, but also a medium to express feeling and discuss issues. While some of the photos from the full spread were disturbing and in my opinion tasteless, many were not and, in-fact rather effective. I felt strong emotions while viewing most of these pictures and those emotions evoked are what will inspire people to take action.

Im on the fence with this one. While on the one hand, showing a suffering model, paralyzed in thick oil may help to visually awaken readers to the devastation of the spill, it also seems a little tasteless in the fact that it is a fashion shoot whose main intent is to show off pieces of fashion. I like how Vogue is showing some eco concious designers (such as the Kathleen Nowak Tucci piece) but I think it could have been done in a more appropriate manner. The real deal is that the effects of this spill are disgusting and that tons of marine life is in danger or already dead. Perhaps emulating this in a fashion is not the best idea.

Are these the mermaids effected by the oil spill? RIP :(

On a more serious note I think its insulting to even try to make a buck off this tragedy and we all know advertising is about the money. So shame on Vogue.

Mmmm...I'd have to say Tasteless. I think it's great that Vogue is being more environmentally conscious and I think they do have good intentions. But I found these images rather repulsive. I have seen plenty of pictures of animals covered in oil, I don't need those images portraited by a person.

I think if they really want to do an effective campaign, they can ask their models to actually go to the oil spill sights and help out with the clean-up. Or do fashion shows with aquatic animal themes to help raise money to save these animals. Then write up an article with nice looking pictures. Wouldn't that be more effective (and more pleasant) than having them lying around a bunch of rocks and pretending to be a dead bird?