When fashion industry leaders gathered at the New York Public Library in the fall of 2007 questioning the absence of Black models on the runways and in fashion editorials, a global dialogue was sparked, implicating the fashion industry for its less than diverse practices.
This conversation largely influenced Vogue Italia’s “All Black Issue.” The legendary Bethann Hardison who consulted on the issue was the most paramount voice in getting the discussion off the ground. Not long after, high-end designers began embracing Black models for their promotional campaigns and Fashion Week shows. But these days it seems that the once jolting blaze is calming. And much like the appearance of heels with socks on runways, Black models are seemingly just another fleeting fad.
But Black models are necessary. Just like the critical need for Latina and Asian models, consumers need to see diversity in the representation of clothing and styles marketed to them season after season. And for those of you who don’t think race matters when it comes to fashion, here are five reasons why it does.
1. Black Models Change the Game.
From Adrienne Fidelin and Naomi Simms to Tyson, Black models change the game. Black models’ discernible, like-no-other features, curvaeous bodies and coco skin are influential and revolutionary. There will never be another Naomi Campbell walk or a “smize” like Tyra’s.
2. Women Who Look Like Us.
The beauty and glam of Black models encourages positive self-esteem and versatile images of Black women in the public space. This has an amazing affect on Black youth and their self-concept. How many of you weren’t influenced by Tyra’s role in “Higher Learning?”
3. Show Me The Models!
Promoting effective marketing with models who actually represent the diversity of the consumers who keep the fashion industry going is not only smart business but it’s nice—plain and simple. Let’s stop supporting designers who never employ a Black model, or model of color, in their campaigns or runway shows.
4. Unemployment Affects Models Too!
Imagine the amount the stress the economy has placed on Black models. There’s always an “It Black Model,” and if you’re not Chanel Iman or Sessilee Lopez, your chances at earning a living in an expensive and competitive New York City or Milan are slim to none.
5. Beauty Comes In All Colors
There’s nothing more sensory and inspirational than a fashion editorial that features the span of all races and shades. Multiculturalism is not only necessary, it’s sexy.
–Geneva S. Thomas
Yes bring on the different shades of cocoa au lait, chocolate & every color in the rainbow. We really need to see representation of ourselves. It builds positive self images
“Let’s stop supporting designers who never employ a Black model, or model of color, in their campaigns or runway shows.”
If a designer cast a black model one season and not the next then people are suppose to un-support a designer every other season? At the end of the day a designer has the right to cast a model based on wheter or not the model projects the look and or image or feel they want for the show or campaign.
I don’t think clothing purchases should be based soley on the race of the model advertising the clothing.
“Let’s stop supporting designers who never employ a Black model, or model of color, in their campaigns or runway shows.”
I agree. Also the ones who thrown in ONE black girl in the mix just to say “oh, we do have black models remember our fashion show back in_____ we had that one black girl.”
I love seeing positive images of black women. I think we should support designers, and others that support us. I know other ethnic groups have no problem supporting those who back them; why do we have to be different? We have to encourage the design/fashion industry to employ blacks at all levels, not just as models. It is a big industry, with lots and lots of money being made. There is room for more, not less, black images in the business, and I’d like to see it.
I have long stopped supporting designers who do not use black models. We as black women have tremendous earning power and we need to stop “flossing” in Prada, Gucci when these designers either refuse or rarely use black models in their shows or campaigns. These designers are cool with taking our hard-earned money, but yet give us big “fcuk you very much” when it comes time to cast for shows and campaigns. These designers don’t care about promoting a positive self-image for black women. All they care about is taking our money. You have to hit where it hurts: in the pocketbook!!!!!!!!!!! Furthermore, magazines like Essence and Ebony need to stop “pumping” the fashions of these designers in the fashion and beauty editorials. There are talented black designers in the UK and Africa who we should support by wearing their creations and featuring their designs in magazines that are supposed to be for black women.
Money = Power. Spend yours wisely.
I SO agree with the comments of no supporting these designers who don’t embrace us nor cater to us. I just don’t get the bias in fashion, as a designers wouldn’t you want a lot of people to love your designs and buy your clothes, so why willingly ignore a group of women or two. If black models or women of color isn’t good enough to walk your runway or be feature in ads then my hard earn money is not good for your clothes either.
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