Digitally created image shared as Vogue Algeria cover featuring Imane Khelif

What is the claim?

Multiple social media users have circulated images supposedly showing the cover of Vogue magazine's Algeria edition, featuring Algerian boxer Imane Khelif wearing traditional attire, including a headscarf and jewelry. 

In one of the viral images, Imane is shown as wearing a traditional white and green outfit with green and white boxing gloves. In the second viral photo, Imane is shown as wearing a red outfit and a decorated head turban.

Both these alleged magazine covers carry text stating, "THE FIRST ALGERIAN, ARAB AND AFRICAN WOMAN TO WIN AN OLYMPIC BOXING GOLD," with her name "IMANE KHELIF" written in red or white below.

The third viral image depicts Imane posing in a traditional white and green outfit with red boxing gloves. The Vogue masthead is prominently displayed at the top of the image in green, red, and white. Imane's name is featured on the left side of the purported magazine cover. 

The viral claim has been widely shared across various social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Reddit, and Threads. 

A post on X has garnered over 1.6 million views and more than 54,000 likes at the time of writing this story. 

Archived versions of some of these posts are here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Screenshots of posts making the claim. (Source: Facebook/Reddit/Modified by Logically Facts)

Our investigation revealed that an Instagram user digitally created the images in question. Moreover, Vogue magazine does not have an Algerian edition.

What are the facts?

A Google search did not yield any credible results indicating that Khelif, who recently won the gold medal in the Women's 66 kg (welterweight) boxing at the Olympics, was featured on the cover of Vogue magazine.

We then examined Vogue's official social media accounts but found no post featuring Imane on their cover (archived here and here).

We found only an Instagram post (archived here) by Vogue Arabia on August 17 featuring Imane Khelif undergoing a makeover. However, this did not amount to a Vogue magazine cover.

Further, while examining various Vogue editions, we found no evidence of a specific Algerian edition. The website of Condé Nast, the publishing conglomerate that owns Vogue, lists 28 editions of the magazine, but an Algeria version is not among them. Also, according to its website, Algeria is not included in the markets in which the company operates.

Screenshot of a list of Vogue editions. (Source: Condé Nast)

We also noted that Vogue covers carry the month of the issue just below the masthead, which is missing in the viral images, indicating that they are not authentic covers published by the magazine.

Two of the viral images carried a line of text saying, "By Cheikh Boumersseb."

Taking a cue from this, we located the Instagram account belonging to the Instagram user cheikh_boumsersseb, who identifies as a "Visual/Art Director" (archived here). On their account, we found the viral images seemingly depicting Khelif on the Vogue Algeria cover (archived here, here, and here).

A screenshot of a post stating that the picture was a product of the user's imagination. (Source: cheikh_boumsersseb/Modified by Logically Facts)

However, we noted that the artist had accompanied the images with a statement and hashtags (#imanekhelif #art #collageart #collageartwork #algeria), clarifying that the artwork was a product of their imagination and not an actual Vogue cover. The description reads, "The artwork envisions Imane on the cover of Vogue magazine, symbolizing her legendary status and unbreakable spirit ... this piece is an artistic expression, not an official statement!"

Screenshot of other two artworks (Source: cheikh_boumsersseb/Modified by Logically Facts).

Logically Facts contacted the user on Instagram. He identified himself as Cheikh Boumsersseb, also known as Aka Cheikh Braz, and said he is a "multidisciplinary visual artist and self-taught graphic designer based in Algeria."

Boumsersseb told us he had created the image using a combination of advanced AI applications and digital editing software. He explained, "I utilized a combination of advanced AI applications and Photoshop for face swapping, followed by Procreate for the finishing touches. This blend of tools allows me to craft vibrant and imaginative pieces that reflect my artistic vision."

Logically, Facts also contacted Vogue for comment on the viral images. This fact-check will be updated if and when we receive a response.

The verdict

The images purporting to show Algerian boxer Imane Khelif featured on the cover of Vogue Algeria were created by an Instagram user, cheikh_boumsersseb, as an artistic expression to symbolize the boxer's status. Moreover, Vogue does not have any Algerian edition.