Vogue / Inez and Vinoodh Vogue's March 2017 cover photo.

UPDATE: Feb.15, 2017 ― Karlie Kloss addressed the problematic Vogue photos on Wednesday, apologizing for her role in the “Spirited Away” spread.

In a note shared on Twitter, Kloss wrote, the “images appropriate a culture that is not my own and I am truly sorry for participating in a shoot that was not culturally sensitive.”

PREVIOUSLY:

American Vogue’s March issue ― with its cover featuring a cast of multiracial and body-positive models ― was supposed to be a celebration of diversity and inclusion, according to a blog post promoting it.

But photos apparently leaked from the issue allude to quite the opposite, and have a lot of people wondering: This, again?

The problematic photos, which found their way to the internet Tuesday, show supermodel Karlie Kloss dressed as a Japanese geisha posing throughout Japan’s Ise-Shima National Park in an article titled, “Spirited Away.”

In the photo spread, reportedly photographed by Mikael Jansson and styled by Phyllis Posnick, Kloss’s signature blonde hair is replaced with thick, long black locks done up in the Japanese Shimada stye, and her skin, appearing more pale than usual, is draped in traditional Japanese patterns and kimonos.

Karlie for Vogue US - March 2017 pic.twitter.com/Pbo9rssT8p — bestkkpics (@bestkkpics) February 14, 2017

Janssen appeared to confirm the authenticity of Kloss’s geisha-inspired shoot on Tuesday when he posted to Instagram a similar photo of the model in painted whiteface with red lips, soaking in a tub. New York magazine published photos of what appears to be a hard copy of Vogue’s March issue.

“Karlie Kloss in Japan, 2017,” Janssen, a frequent Vogue photographer, captioned his photo of Kloss. “Vogue Magazine, unpublished.”

Mire Koikari, a professor of women’s studies and affiliate of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Hawaii, said it’s hard to judge the photos outside of their full context in the magazine. But the images alone, she said, raise questions.

“It strikes me as an example of ‘Asian face’ or ‘Yellow Face,’ a problematic practice long existent in the history of racism in the U.S., where white men and women alter their facial features to ‘pass’ as ‘Orientals,’” Koikari said in an email to The Huffington Post.

“The images also recirculate the overly sexualized understandings of ‘Asian women,’” she added.

Neither Vogue nor Kloss’s representatives returned The Huffington Post’s requests for comment.

Karlie Kloss in Japan, 2017. Vogue Magazine, unpublished #mikaeljansson #phyllisposnick #hannahmurray #juliendys #karliekloss #voguemagazine A post shared by Mikael Jansson (@mikaeljansson) on Feb 14, 2017 at 3:04pm PST

In an issue that supposedly promotes the beauty of diversity, it’s odd to see a white woman in a setting that hinges entirely on Japanese cultural elements playing the role of a geisha ― an ancient and traditionally Japanese profession.

Why not just use a Japanese model?

The decision to feature Kloss as a geisha is especially troubling after last year’s widely covered controversies in which white actresses were cast for roles originally written for Asian characters in two big-budget films: Scarlett Johansson in “Ghost in the Shell,” and Tilda Swinton in “Doctor Strange.” It also follows criticism of supermodel Gigi Hadid for appearing to mock Asians in a video posted to social media.

In this case, if Vogue runs Kloss’s spread, the magazine is choosing to ignore its own celebration of diversity (and Japanese models), and is using yellowface and cultural appropriation instead.

If the internet’s reaction to the photo shoot is any indication, it’s safe to say that people won’t be happy with Vogue’s definition of diversity.

Emma Stone, Scarlett Johansson, and Tilda Swinton turn to Karlie Kloss. "Your turn, girl."



Karlie on phone: "Hello, Vogue? Make me Asian." pic.twitter.com/zgUWIB022Q — Ira Madison III (@ira) February 14, 2017

I was gonna ask why vogue decided to put karlie kloss in geisha makeup & clothing when there are amazing japanese models but i know why — ㅤ (@honobonoIog) February 14, 2017

Has Vogue lost it? Karlie Kloss as a geisha.



"What look should we go for this March?"

"How about yellowface and assorted Orientalism?" pic.twitter.com/bXZfiKzpe1 — Suzanne Enzerink (@suzanneenzerink) February 15, 2017

*logs in to Twitter*



Karlie Kloss as a geisha for Vogue



Betsy DeVos as Ruby Bridges in a Glenn McCoy cartoon



*logs off* — Miya Tokumitsu 🗽 (@MiyaTokumitsu) February 14, 2017