Collections in fashion shows can show all variety of trends
and styles, with designers such as Julien McDonald showcasing their love for
luxurious evening gowns to a Victoria Secret show which can present a designers
love for lingerie. The fashion world is one that is always changing and
evolving presenting new designers and talent whilst also bringing back styles
and clothing that were loved in past decades. However when it comes to those
who actually wear the clothes the industry has been known to take a completely
ancient and close minded view for casting models.
Many have complained about women of colour and ethnic
minorities not being represented fairly on the catwalk but sadly there is not
always much done about it. However this year as different cities from all
around the world hosted their fashion weeks some of the industry’s most renowned
models of colour decided to stand up and make it known of their disappointment
and frustration at agencies for not casting more models from ethnic minorities.
Diversity Coalition is an support group created by former model turned activist
Bethann Hardison, which has seen the likes of models such as Naomi Campbell and
Iman come together to stand against some of the industry’s biggest fashion labels
who use no or very few black models. The three women proved they are not a force
to be reckoned with as they named and shamed the designers who are guilty of not
representing black models in their shows. In an interview with abcnews the trio
make it very clear that they’re not calling the designers racist but saying
that ‘the act in itself is racist’ and discouraging to upcoming black models.
Being a young black female myself I found it so inspiring to
see some of the world’s most famous black models not shying away from what is a
very taboo topic in the fashion industry, and using their fame and status to improve
the industry they've become a part of. I think the main thing to remember is that
we should aim to make seeing black models in the industry something that is
normal. Often designers or agencies create an event or piece that highlights
black models and assume it is enough, for example Vougue Italia’s ‘A Black
Issue’. As much as this issue of Vogue was one to remember (and bloody well
overdue) in my opinion it’s just another example of classic tokenism, indirectly
saying ‘there’s your special issue, could you shut up now?’ I’d love to think
that there will be a time in the future where special issues or shows are not
needed as seeing black models has become a normal thing and not something to
make a big fuss over due to how rare it is. As Hardison says in the abcnews
interview ‘I don’t want to embarrass anyone into doing anything’. Along with
Naomi and Iman, one of my favourite models Jourdan Dunn contributed to
promoting Balance Diversity as she tweeted the link and has often spoke about
how she herself has faced racism in the industry and is not one to sit back and
accept it.
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| Picture Taken From Vogue's 'A Black Issue'. |
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(Link to the abcnews interview : http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/09/fashion-icons-naomi-campbell-iman-demand-diversity-on-racist-runway/)
As you may know this isn't exactly recent news but after
speaking about it with a friend, I thought it would make a great post in which
I could address my thoughts on black models on the catwalk and also praise high
profile black models such as the ones mentioned in this post, who continue to
inspire myself and many other lovers of fashion.
Hope you enjoyed this post and I’ll leave you with a short
iconic film made by model Naomi Campbell and Nick Knight.
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