Vogue Slammed for Calling Afro a ‘Cloud Bob’

Vogue is facing significant backlash on social media after attempting to rebrand the iconic Afro hairstyle as a “cloud bob.” The fashion magazine’s article, which highlighted hairstyles for thick hair, has been widely criticized by Black women who see it as an attempt to “gentrify” and strip a culturally significant style of its roots.

The ‘Cloud Bob’ Controversy

The article, which has since been removed, described the “cloud bob” as a “rounded haircut with a soft, airy silhouette” that works well with thick, voluminous hair. While the description itself might seem innocuous, the context of renaming a hairstyle deeply rooted in Black culture and history ignited outrage. Many users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram expressed their frustration.

One user on X wrote, “It’s 2026, and they’re calling an Afro a ‘cloud bob.’” On Instagram, comments slammed Vogue for the audacity of rebranding a style that is not theirs to rename. The sentiment was clear: Black women are not going to let the Afro be “Christopher Columbus-ed” – a term used to describe the appropriation and rebranding of Black cultural elements.

The Historical Significance of the Afro

The Afro hairstyle holds profound historical and cultural significance for Black women. Once dismissed as “nappy” or “unruly,” the Afro gained prominence in the 1960s as a powerful symbol of Black pride and resistance against oppression and white supremacist beauty standards. Activists like Angela Davis and Huey P. Newton proudly wore Afros, making it a statement of defiance and self-love.

As Chad Dion Lassiter, president of the Black Men at Penn School of Social Work, Inc., explained, the Afro was “Black beauty personified without white validation.” It represented a rejection of societal norms and an embrace of natural identity in the face of systemic injustice. Over time, it evolved into a broader symbol of beauty and cultural identity within the Black community.

Past Attempts at Rebranding

This isn’t the first time a major publication has been accused of downplaying the Afro’s significance. In 2015, Allure faced similar criticism for a tutorial titled, “You (Yes, You) Can Have an Afro, Even If You Have Straight Hair,” which featured a white actress. These instances highlight a recurring pattern of attempting to co-opt and redefine elements of Black culture without proper acknowledgment or understanding.

Hairstylist Tom Smith, whose commentary was attributed to the “cloud bob” description, spoke out on Instagram, stating he was not briefed on the article’s context and did not approve the imagery used. He clarified that his original comments were in relation to a different haircut and were used without his awareness or involvement.

• Vogue’s article attempted to rename the Afro hairstyle as a ‘cloud bob.’
• The move was met with widespread criticism from Black women on social media.
• Critics accused Vogue of cultural appropriation and ‘gentrifying’ Black culture.
• The Afro has deep historical roots as a symbol of Black pride and resistance.
• Hairstylist Tom Smith denied approving the context or imagery used in the article.