Stylist tapes models eyes back for Japanese Vogue photo shoot

Vogue is caught in another race scandal for taping back the eyes of model Crystal Renn for a glossy photo editorial shoot to be featured in the October issue of Vogue Nippon. 

In a video that shows behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot for Japanese Vogue, creative consultant and Editor-at-large Anna Della Russo is seen, with the help of others, to be stretching Renn’s eyes for the shoot.

The photos have raised the question as to whether they are racially insensitive.  

It is not certain what the motives are here but Della Russo talks about the theme of the shoot being "between masculine and feminine" in the video.

[See also: Kate Moss's daughter in Vogue airbrushing blunder]

Fashion followers have already voiced their disapproval of the photos over the internet. 

One comment left on fashion site Stylite, branded it ‘offensive’. User Bikerk, commented: 'Leave it to Vogue to insult BOTH cultures, near and far. Do you really think the Asians are going to be "fooled" by the taping? Do you really think anyone in American is going to be "fooled" by the taping?  No, and no.'

Vogue haven't issued a statement as yet, in response to criticism, or explained if the tape was for some purpose other than to distort Renn's eyes.

The international editions of Vogue are no strangers to controversy, Vogue’s latest fashion faux pas was from Vogue Italia who was under fire for referring to hooped earrings as ‘slave’ earrings and Vogue Paris caused controversy in 2009 when Lara Stone was painted in blackface for a fashion spread.

The magazine has also hit the headlines for featuring a 10-year-old model in Vogue Paris in January and mistakenly airbushing out the limbs of Kate Moss’s daughter in the US September issue.

What do you think of these images? Do you think Vogue Nippon has taken their creativity too far? Or is this well within the confines of fashionable art?