French Vogue dubbed 'hypocritical' for Instagram post praising Julia Fox's headscarf

Social media users have chastised Vogue France for what they described as its hypocrisy after the magazine published an image of a model wearing a headscarf and praised its appearance, despite France's restrictions on the hijab/headscarf. 

In a since-edited Instagram post in which they removed the caption, the publication shared a photo of actress Julia Fox wearing a black scarf tied around her head, with the words: "Yes to the headscarf!" 

Critics accused the magazine of "pure hypocrisy", given the extensive campaign by many French politicians against the wearing of the hijab, saying it exemplified the double standards faced by Muslim women who face "daily aggression and repetitive pressure" for wearing the same headscarf that the French magazine "applauded on a non-Muslim white woman".

The post comes just days after the French senate voted to prohibit hijabs from being worn during sporting events, following an amendment proposed by the right-wing political party Les Republicains claiming  "headscarves undermine French values and jeopardise athlete safety".

The French government voted against the amendment which has yet to be adopted. 

The French football federation already bans women from wearing the hijab in official matches, as well as at competitions it organises.

It is already forbidden to wear overt symbols of religion - including the hijab - in some government buildings, including state-run schools.

The controversy follows last year's contentious "separatism bill", which effectively prohibits girls under the age of 18 from wearing the hijab in public spaces. The bill, entitled "Strengthening the Republic's Principles", sparked outrage on social media and prompted the "hands off my hijab" campaign. 

Numerous users took to Twitter and Instagram to criticise Vogue France's "frustratingly tone deaf take" on the reality faced by Muslim women in France.

While French Vogue has yet to issue a statement over the controversy, the editing of the Instagram caption as pressure mounted prompted some to lament the magazine's inability to hold itself accountable.

This article is available in French on Middle East Eye French edition.