Vogue’s August 2025 issue has drawn sharp criticism after featuring a photorealistic AI-generated model in a two-page Guess advertisement. Created by Seraphinne Vallora Studio, the AI image was credited in fine print, but its synthetic nature didn’t escape readers’ notice. The model’s unnatural flawlessness—symmetrical face, unblemished skin, and an overall plastic perfection—sparked an immediate backlash from fans and creatives alike who saw it as a departure from authenticity.
Critics pointed out that using an AI model in a publication long celebrated for its commitment to high fashion, culture, and human artistry sends the wrong message. For many, the ad represented a slippery slope toward devaluing the craft of modeling, makeup, and photography, replacing the human touch with algorithmic perfection. The model’s unrealistic appearance prompted fears that such imagery could redefine beauty standards into something literally unattainable, further warping expectations in a world already battling image-driven pressures.
Online reactions were swift and unforgiving. Longtime subscribers canceled their subscriptions, expressing disappointment and anger at what they viewed as a betrayal. One viral comment summed up the sentiment: “AI models in Vogue? That’s where I draw the line.” Others warned that the normalization of these visuals risks eroding the fashion industry’s commitment to diversity, personality, and genuine human representation. It wasn’t just the presence of AI that upset people—it was its flawless hollowness.
The studio behind the ad argued that the image was not just the product of an algorithm but the result of significant human creative input. Stylists, engineers, and designers contributed to the final result, positioning the AI as merely another tool. Still, the debate rages on. Many fear the encroachment of AI into fashion, not because of its novelty, but because of its implications for real jobs, real faces, and real beauty. Vogue may have published a glossy ad, but it also opened a very real discussion.
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