Beyonce faces a storm over pic

African look ... Beyonce with darker skin

    

BEYONCE'S controversial photoshoot, which saw her face darkened and daubed in face paint, has been defended by the magazine that shot them.

The Halo star appeared in L'Officiel Paris in designer dresses, including one designed by her mother, in an African Queen themed 90th anniversary issue but the mag claims that she was "voluntarily darkened".
And they said that the entire shoot was a tribute to the star's "African roots"
"The designs are all reflective of the African influence on fashion this season," the magazine said in a statement. "As for the artistic make-up, the inspiration came from several African rituals during which paint is used on the face."

Lightening the tone .... Beyonce on the shoot

Video: Beyonce 'darkens' face

STAR wore dark make-up for African-themed shoot in L'Officiel Paris

• Showbiz

But critics say the blackening of a face in the name of fashion is offensive.
The pictures were supposed to be a tribute to Nigerian musician and human rights activist FELA KUTI.
Bey's husband JAY-Z is producer of the Broadway show Fela! which the singer has recently seen.
And she was so inspired by the music that she's even incorporated the musician's sounds into tracks on her upcoming album.
Although there has been no comment from the diva's camp, it's not the first time her skin tone has raised a furore.
In 2008, cosmetic brand L'Oreal was accused of lightening her skin in an ad, a claim they denied.

Queen ... Beyonce

At the time a spokesman said: "We highly value our relationship with Ms. Knowles.
"It is categorically untrue that L'Oreal Paris altered Ms. Knowles' features or skin tone in the campaign."