A Brief History of Naked Babies in Fashion Magazines
Last week, Kim Kardashian delighted the nation when she told Seth Meyers that North West peed on Kanye during their Vogue family portrait — revealing one of the messier realities of having a diaperless little person on a fashion set.
Though detractors maintain that unclothed babies make for distasteful props, magazine editors have had few qualms about throwing a small nude human in the mix. It’s a bizarre trope, especially as many models seem fairly inept when it comes to holding these babies. In a 2003 issue of Vogue, Natalia Vodianova dangles her son, Lucas, over a regulation-size swimming pool; on the cover of Vogue Spain in 2011, Dree Hemingway holds an anonymous, frigid-looking infant by its feet. Fortunately for the photographers, including a baby’s face has long proven optional, which explains the prevalence of the genre’s sub-category: baby butts in fashion editorials. From Mischa Barton holding an infant like it’s a large bouquet of flowers to Kate Upton swathing a toddler in tulle: Click through our slideshow for a brief history of naked babies in fashion magazines.
Vogue, April 2014 Proud parents Kim Kardashian and Kanye West with North, who is making her now infamous “I’M PEEING” face.
Vogue Italia, September 2007 Anja Rubik manages to hold this deranged-looking baby upright while making sure her necklace is still visible — an i...
Vogue Italia, September 2007 Anja Rubik manages to hold this deranged-looking baby upright while making sure her necklace is still visible — an impressive feat.
Vogue Spain, December 2011 In what we can only assume is an effort to “look natural,” Dree Hemingway holds a tense, cold-looking baby up by its f...
Vogue Spain, December 2011 In what we can only assume is an effort to “look natural,” Dree Hemingway holds a tense, cold-looking baby up by its feet.
CR Fashion Book, Issue 1 Kate Upton generously lets this unclothed cherub share her tulle skirt.
W, December 2010 Katherine Heigl poses with her daughter, Naleigh, who appears to be swaddled in mosquito netting.
Twelv, May 2012 Apparently the photographer “chose to have Mischa holding a baby because he has always had a fascination with the Virgin Mary,” w...
Twelv, May 2012 Apparently the photographer “chose to have Mischa holding a baby because he has always had a fascination with the Virgin Mary,” which explains nothing.
Vogue, April 2010 In the ultimate post-baby humblebrag, Gisele wears a crop top and holds her son, Benjamin, just high enough not to obscure her ...
Vogue, April 2010 In the ultimate post-baby humblebrag, Gisele wears a crop top and holds her son, Benjamin, just high enough not to obscure her perfectly back to "normal" stomach.
Vogue, February 2003 Despite what parents Natalia Vodianova and Justin Portman seem to think, it’s dubious that this baby can swim.
Harpers Bazaar Russia It doesn’t take a genius to tell that this poor baby is scared of the dark, and probably of Lydia Hearst also.
Vogue, September 2010 Lara Stone could almost pass for a mother, except that she forgot the diaper bag.
Vogue, July 2002 It appears the photo editor overdid it with the red-eye reduction tool on Amber Valetta’s little cherub, Auden.
Numéro, October 2010 Numéro got a lot of flack for bronzing Constance Jablonski’s skin to match her fictional child — which, unfort...
Numéro, October 2010 Numéro got a lot of flack for bronzing Constance Jablonski’s skin to match her fictional child — which, unfortunately, has not been the magazine’s only blackface incident, but was certainly one of its weirdest.
Harpers Bazaar Australia, June/July 2012 This photo is concerning: How come it’s jacket weather for Nicole Kidman, but not for her daughter, Faith?
Vogue, July 2002 One advantage to being photographed with a child is that it’s much harder to scrutinize what you’re wearing, as demonstrated her...
Vogue, July 2002 One advantage to being photographed with a child is that it’s much harder to scrutinize what you’re wearing, as demonstrated here by Natalia Vodianova and Liya Kebede.
Vogue, July 2002 Who can run faster: Amber Valletta in a low-back gown and heels, or her toddler?
Vogue U.K., April 2004 Jasmine Guinness and her son, Elmwood, are perhaps the only model and baby pair to ever appear mutually enthusiastic about...
Vogue U.K., April 2004 Jasmine Guinness and her son, Elmwood, are perhaps the only model and baby pair to ever appear mutually enthusiastic about being photographed for a fashion spread.
W, November 2008 This W-commissioned shot of Angelina Jolie and two of her shirtless children was not taken by a fashion photographer, but by pro...
W, November 2008 This W-commissioned shot of Angelina Jolie and two of her shirtless children was not taken by a fashion photographer, but by proud dad Brad Pitt.
Glamour, March 2010 Including Julie Ordon’s daughter, Matilda, is a smart way to demonstrate the “no makeup” point.
Vogue, July 2002 Audrey Marnay can’t decide whether to cover her baby’s butt, a la Kimye.
Vogue Netherlands, October 2013 Ever versatile, babies can also double as bras, as demonstrated by 21-year-old Dutch model Ymre Stiekema.
GQ Germany, December 2013 Someone, please teach Matt Trethe that’s not how you hold a baby.
GQ Germany, December 2013 The baby on the left really has the right idea about GQ’s sexy-dad initiative.
Vogue U.K., July 2012 Miranda Kerr’s son, Flynn, wore sweatpants and a necklace for his big Vogue debut.
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