Pushing the envelope. In the entertainment world, it can be attributed to an outfit, like the unforgettable green Versace get-up J Lo wore to the Grammy's in 2000 (seriously, Google it right now, I know you'll recognize it).

When celebs (D-list or not) push the envelope, they're looking for attention-and they want to make people talk.

But when Vogue Magazine pushed the envelope this month for a photo spread, did they cross the line from attention-seeking to offensive?

Vogue's February issue includes a spread entitled "Storm Troupers," in which models were photographed alongside rescue workers in areas hit hard by Hurricane Sandy.

Vogue Senior Editor Corey Seymour said that the piece is intended to "shine attention on the people who helped bring the city through the hurricane."

Vogue subtitled the piece, "Celebrating Hurricane Sandy's First Responders." However, the focus of the spread is unclear.

What are these images? Allow me to paint you a picture: An unapologetic model standing confidently upon machinery inside the turbine deck at Con Ed's East River Generating Station, raised about three feet above the eight Con Ed employees, clad in their uniform.
Another? Two stick-thin models in the middle of a group of 29 doctors and nurses from the neonatal intensive-care unit at Bellevue Hospital-along with 10 of the babies.

The piece doesn't just provide pictures; each photo is accompanied by a blurb giving context to the picture and explaining how the individuals were involved with Sandy relief efforts.
Most include a quote from a first responder, adding to the piece's legitimacy, but then the final sentence of each informative, heartfelt paragraph discusses the models' pictures and what they're wearing.

The piece's photographer, Annie Leibovitz, is known for pushing the envelope, like with one risqu?(c) shot back in 2008 involving Miley Cyrus, a sheet and a lot of bare skin, but not everyone appreciates her artistic flair.

Some are arguing the shoot was downright "ridiculous," like New York Magazine's Charlotte Cowles, while others, like online reader kimfrac, say "this is hitting below the belt when people are still suffering."

It's true; over two months since Sandy hit the East Coast, and thousands are still living without a home or without power.

TIME Magazine's Terri Pous explained the issue clearly: "The piece was intended to celebrate real-life heroes, but are the models' presence supposed to suggest that Oscar de la Renta's spring collection is equally heroic?"

Still, some claim the fashion magazine has earned the right to publish whatever they want; Vogue asserts it has helped raise $1.7 million in relief funds.

And, as online reader AndresV reminded others, "It's ... fashion journalism." Pop culture-ites, what do you think?
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