Racial Diversity In Modeling

[SJPdeux]

I have -

[metal-on-metal]

Wow this thread really crashed and burned, huh. Went from an intelligent discussion to curse words and handbag pictures.

[Modelgirlie]

Originally Posted by Mr-Dale

I think it's just a coincidence...

I don't think it is I mean truly they should want the top models in prada shows and two of them are Liya and Jaunel IMO

[marc jacobs addict]

Honestly, I never really paid attention to it. I like her shows, whomever she casts, her choice. I wouldnt stop buying Prada because of something that may just be a coincidence (she may very well think that black women dont fit her target market).

[martinionrox]

basically, the US is too racist-conscience. they will FIND a reason to be mad at a designer for being racist. i think it's ludacris! they are making it a bigger issue by pointing it out.. why should we be paying attention to the race of the models at the shows anyway? i mean, really?

i don't think it was a coincidence. but i definitely don't think prada is trying to send out a racist message, especially if they have used models of ethnicity in the past (like asians) ..maybe they really do just want similar-looking models. is that a crime? apparently so.

[martinionrox]

Originally Posted by metal-on-metal

Wow this thread really crashed and burned, huh. Went from an intelligent discussion to curse words and handbag pictures.

[stylegurrl]

Originally Posted by PussyLee

"Jssy4eva" please don't turn everything into a racial war. You remind me of some people I know. "I scream racism".

Jssy4eva, I think you're IGNORANT and STUP*D, but thats just my two cent, don't bother to reply, waste your time explaining, you already did a lot!

"so what do u define as status???being rich and white"
Why is there a need to put white in there? PRADA is a Status of Luxury as seen by the white/black/asian/latin......

now stop posting!

I was reading through this thread and your post stopped me in my tracks. It is one of the most offensive posts I have run across on this board in a while. This thread is not about a racial war. It is about the fact that people of color are often underrepresented in particular fields. In this case the lack of diversity on certain runways is being explored.

In society being white and rich is the exact definition of status. It is for this reason that people of color are usually not used in ad campaign for luxury products. People associate minorities, particularly Black people, with lower economic status, lack of refinement, class etc. All you have to do is look around this board and see how things associated with Black people or urban areas are considered "ghetto", meaning of lower class, therefore undesirable. Also there are designers who may use models of color on the runway but when they have their ads in magazines, White models are used. This is done so that the idea of luxury and status are maintained. I think I remember Marc Jacobs mentioning something about wanting to use a particular Black woman in his ads but he decided against it because he felt his "target audience" would not accept her.

Even people of color have been brainwashed to associate things that are White or European with luxury and status. The example of Asians reacting more favorably to White models is a perfect and very sad example.

I guess it's easy for those who are not people of color here to shrug their shoulders and say, oh, it's a coincidence or it doesn't matter since they are not the ones affected economically or psychologically. They will always see their people represented. I think it would be nice to see my people represented a little more often, especially considering the fact that people of color spend a lot of money on designer goods. My feeling is, if I don't see myself represented by a company then I don't buy their products. They are welcome to have a target audience, if I am not wanted then I will happily spend my money elsewhere.

btw, Martinionrox, I recommend that you spend some time reading about the history of the United States before you make such statements in the future.

[jssy4eva]

Originally Posted by stylegurrl

I was reading through this thread and your post stopped me in my tracks. It is one of the most offensive posts I have run across on this board in a while. This thread is not about a racial war. It is about the fact that people of color are often underrepresented in particular fields. In this case the lack of diversity on certain runways is being explored.

In society being white and rich is the exact definition of status. It is for this reason that people of color are usually not used in ad campaign for luxury products. People associate minorities, particularly Black people, with lower economic status, lack of refinement, class etc. All you have to do is look around this board and see how things associated with Black people or urban areas are considered "ghetto", meaning of lower class, therefore undesirable. Also there are designers who may use models of color on the runway but when they have their ads in magazines, White models are used. This is done so that the idea of luxury and status are maintained. I think I remember Marc Jacobs mentioning something about wanting to use a particular Black woman in his ads but he decided against it because he felt his "target audience" would not accept her.

Even people of color have been brainwashed to associate things that are White or European with luxury and status. The example of Asians reacting more favorably to White models is a perfect and very sad example.

I guess it's easy for those who are not people of color here to shrug their shoulders and say, oh, it's a coincidence or it doesn't matter since they are not the ones affected economically or psychologically. They will always see their people represented. I think it would be nice to see my people represented a little more often, especially considering the fact that people of color spend a lot of money on designer goods. My feeling is, if I don't see myself represented by a company then I don't buy their products. They are welcome to have a target audience, if I am not wanted then I will happily spend my money elsewhere.

btw, Martinionrox, I recommend that you spend some time reading about the history of the United States before you make such statements in the future.

Finally, someone who understood exactly what i what i was tring to say...thank u so much for your great point of view....you are the type of person that sees all sides of the argument and gives everyone the benifit of the doubt...i am very appreciative of your comments...thank u

[softgrey]

Originally Posted by birdofparadise

lol, i love that, hustle Chanel...is that really true? Products promoted in Asian countries with Asian models don't sell as well?

completely true...

as so many things in fashion do...the reasoning really comes down to money...like it or not...

they use the models who the market responds to...whatever works...we're talking about a huge money-making machine...not a political statement...

it is surely no coincidence that we don't see more people of colour in fashion...but the reasons are far more complex than pure racism...believe me...if they thought a black girl could move the merchandise as well as a very blonde carmen kass...they'd be all over it... ..

you have to take a look at the marketplace too if you're looking to place blame...why is it true that japanese girls want so desperately to look caucasian???...it is not only that they have been brainwashed by the media...because advertising will also follow the market...it's a vicious circle...and a complicated issue...

certainly not one that will be solved here...

however...the situation really has improved so much...when i was growing up in the late 70's and 80's...you would barely even see a model who wasn't blonde-haired and blue-eyed (christie brinkley, cheryl tiegs, etc...)...so the good news is that things are getting better...rome wasn't built in a day...but we're headed in the right direction... ...

ps...stylegurrl...great post!...

[Urban Stylin]

Originally Posted by stylegurrl

I was reading through this thread and your post stopped me in my tracks. It is one of the most offensive posts I have run across on this board in a while. This thread is not about a racial war. It is about the fact that people of color are often underrepresented in particular fields. In this case the lack of diversity on certain runways is being explored.

In society being white and rich is the exact definition of status. It is for this reason that people of color are usually not used in ad campaign for luxury products. People associate minorities, particularly Black people, with lower economic status, lack of refinement, class etc. All you have to do is look around this board and see how things associated with Black people or urban areas are considered "ghetto", meaning of lower class, therefore undesirable. Also there are designers who may use models of color on the runway but when they have their ads in magazines, White models are used. This is done so that the idea of luxury and status are maintained. I think I remember Marc Jacobs mentioning something about wanting to use a particular Black woman in his ads but he decided against it because he felt his "target audience" would not accept her.

Even people of color have been brainwashed to associate things that are White or European with luxury and status. The example of Asians reacting more favorably to White models is a perfect and very sad example.

I guess it's easy for those who are not people of color here to shrug their shoulders and say, oh, it's a coincidence or it doesn't matter since they are not the ones affected economically or psychologically. They will always see their people represented. I think it would be nice to see my people represented a little more often, especially considering the fact that people of color spend a lot of money on designer goods. My feeling is, if I don't see myself represented by a company then I don't buy their products. They are welcome to have a target audience, if I am not wanted then I will happily spend my money elsewhere.

btw, Martinionrox, I recommend that you spend some time reading about the history of the United States before you make such statements in the future.

thank you

actually what some people take to be casual statements have a far reaching impact. i personally can't believe some of the stuff am reading.
ALL HAIL ISSAC MIZRAHI FOR HIS F/W 05 SHOW

[Urban Stylin]

btw some of the comments posted make me glad i live in sunny ole eastafrica>>>

heres a link to the cnn article dunno if its been posted. love caroline r's blunt honesty http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/02/1...king.barriers/

[tctra]

Who was it that said she should make a point to the casting director to hire black models? IMO this is more racist than her not having and black models and simply getting on with her work.

[acester]

no offence but this is silly....ur acting like there should be a BIG difference between different cultures and looks...ur just being paranoid. Designers use who they want to use that isn't our problem, your all acting like u want to pik up on this. Sorry if this doesn't make sense but i can't word it right I'm just saying leave it, all of the models are beautiful

sorry it really doesn't make sense

[jssy4eva]

I think all the models are beautiful too....but i wanna see more diverse ones...that's all

[Mr-Dale]

Originally Posted by stylegurrl

I was reading through this thread and your post stopped me in my tracks. It is one of the most offensive posts I have run across on this board in a while. This thread is not about a racial war. It is about the fact that people of color are often underrepresented in particular fields. In this case the lack of diversity on certain runways is being explored.

In society being white and rich is the exact definition of status. It is for this reason that people of color are usually not used in ad campaign for luxury products. People associate minorities, particularly Black people, with lower economic status, lack of refinement, class etc. All you have to do is look around this board and see how things associated with Black people or urban areas are considered "ghetto", meaning of lower class, therefore undesirable. Also there are designers who may use models of color on the runway but when they have their ads in magazines, White models are used. This is done so that the idea of luxury and status are maintained. I think I remember Marc Jacobs mentioning something about wanting to use a particular Black woman in his ads but he decided against it because he felt his "target audience" would not accept her.

Even people of color have been brainwashed to associate things that are White or European with luxury and status. The example of Asians reacting more favorably to White models is a perfect and very sad example.

I guess it's easy for those who are not people of color here to shrug their shoulders and say, oh, it's a coincidence or it doesn't matter since they are not the ones affected economically or psychologically. They will always see their people represented. I think it would be nice to see my people represented a little more often, especially considering the fact that people of color spend a lot of money on designer goods. My feeling is, if I don't see myself represented by a company then I don't buy their products. They are welcome to have a target audience, if I am not wanted then I will happily spend my money elsewhere.

btw, Martinionrox, I recommend that you spend some time reading about the history of the United States before you make such statements in the future.

As much as this a perfectly correct post stylegurrl, I must say that I disagree on certain points made by you. You say that caucasian people who blame this on coincidence are only saying this because they know that their kind will be represented anyway. That is sheer nonsense. I am causasian and I think that it's just coincidence, but I sure as hell do not think "Whatever, white people will be all over the place anyway" I love black and Asian models just as much I love caucasian models. Even more so, Ai is in my top 5 and Oluchi is definetly in my top 10. I love to see them both and all other models that are black or Asian. To top that, Beyoncé is my favourite singer and Halle Berry is one of my fave actresses. I made a list the other day with 48 models that would make the perfect runway show to me and it included: Jaunel, Oluchi, Liya, Yasmin, Hye and Ai. Yes, it's not a staggering amount of girls compared to the other 42, but I just felt that these girls were beautifull enough to be on my list. And just fyi, Daria or Gisele were not on the list. I think I have made my point now: I don't judge on skincolour nor do I only want to see caucasian people.

Also, perhaps you haven't noticed, but the stereotype of only white people can be rich and full of status has blurred in the past few years. Think of all the hiphop-artist that are making a difference now to all those who now share how they used to live. They are the proof that things can change and aren't only for the 'white'. Not only hiphop artists, but R&B as well. Actors and actresses. Sportspeople i.e Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan. Politicians, I'm thinking of Condoleca Rice (sp?) and one that has many many followers here in Holland Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

My last point is that the brainwash thing is a oneway-statement. So Asians like white models. My caucasian brother likes black singers, that's in a way the same. Lots of Asian people may associate white brands with luxury, but isn't that what they just are? I mean Dior, Chanel, Vuitton...all 'white' and definetly luxury. So it isn't just association. And I think that the Japanese royal house is just as luxurious as the Dutch one.

Thanks for reading!