Vogue is calling Afros “Cloud Bobs”

BLACK WOMEN + BLACK CULTURE CONTINUE TO BE REPLICATED AND APPROPRIATED AS PROMINANT CULTURAL PRACTICES GET REBRANDED AS TRENDS 

In a recent article published on September 23, 2025 Vogue writer Hannah Coates gave fall style insight on how to style what she calls a “cloud bob”. Despite the style being called an Afro for decades, this name replacement does cultural and historical damage versus sounding chic and new. 

 ATTEMPTS TO CLAIM A BLACK STYLE THROUGH A WHITE LENS 

Black Women have worn afros and faced judgement, backlash, discrimination, and employment challenges ; especially in the beauty and fashion industry . As of 2026, a Black model shaving her head is normal for her to be on the catwalk. Nonetheless, the only way Vogue felt their readers would resonate with an Afro was through appropriation. 

GENTRIFICATION INSTEAD OF ASSIMILATION 

While some might think the sentiment was sweet, the key to reworking this article is acknowledging the style for what it is, and accrediting the generations of people who wore it first.