Racial Diversity In Modeling

[jssy4eva]

Moderator's Note: This thread's original title was "Prada Controversy."

Ok so i know that it may be nothing, but have u ever noticed that there are never any black models at prada shows.....

I mean, i know that designers have a vision and that thay see their show going a certain way, but i believe that the best shows have a mixture of everything...clothes, shoes, bags,....and models....

there are some great girls like liya, Januel, yasmeen, ujjwalla (i know she's not black, but prada doesn't semm to use colored model at all)that would be a great addition to any show..including the gorgeous one that prada always delivers

I think Miuccia is brilliant....but what do u guys think of her only casting one look....im not saying she's racist....just that she needs to be more open in her selections...

[Mr-Dale]

I think it's just a coincidence...

[birdofparadise]

You know, it's never rubbed me the wrong way for some reason.

I tend to think that Prada pushes a very Euro centric ideal(ism). For a long time, she was wary of using big names in her shows. Just this past season, she used Hye Park for her show.

It has stuck me as odd from time to time that she hasn't used Liya--she seems to have the delicate nature that would perhaps work well with Prada. Her customers seem to run the gamit, all colors, shapes, sizes, everyone seems to be attracted to her products in one form or another. She uses Pat Mcgrath to do her makeup, she had Lawrence Steele intern under her...I'm not quite sure what her motivation may be...and it may even be a little unfair to single her out, there are many, many designers who do not and will not use black models. I remember hearing all kinds of nasty things when Marc used on for his Marc by Marc ad last S/S.

But the racist card may be too easy to pull. Does using black models on a runway equate to an American or a French (YSL) thing/flavour? Perhaps it would be better to laud those who have a complete and loving view of women like Ralph Rucci, Valentino, Oscar dlR, YSL and so on and so forth...(even Bernhard Willhelm--I don't know who else would have the balls to do menswear with all black men...)

[cigaretiquette]

Originally Posted by Mr-Dale

I think it's just a coincidence...

Agreed

[ChinaLove]

Miuccia doesn't do the castings. I heard there's a director for that, and apparantly he's a real big *******. Go figure.

[brian]

sometimes i find it a wee bit coincidental that certain designers tend to put the black girls in the worst-looking outfits, whereas all of the other models look good. but i'm not trying to insinuate anything.

[cosmocat]

I think its mostly a oincidence and down to the casting director's 'preference' but I agree that Liya would suit Prada, as well as other models.

[Theory]

It is interesting and something I have certainly noticed as well. Here's the thing...where exactly do we achieve a happy medium. Please spare me the Miuccia doesn't do castings bit - she is the head designer and carries too much clout and has been around far too long NOT to notice it and take corrective action if she so pleases...these directors work for her. She isn't some emerging designer who doesn't have any control...she is Prada..period.
As for the castings of models, I don't know where that medium lies...people will be upset by the one token casting of a black or asian model and then some will be upset by the lack of them and then if there are too many black/asian models, the white (and here comes a generalization) customer base (who will never admit it) will be turned off by the brand. I remember a male Asian model in Prada many years ago, but never a black model, which defintely makes you go hmm...its certainly not a mere coincidene...its 2005 and Prada's been around forever and black models are readily available......
I'm a Prada fan, maybe not part of her intended demographic, but it won't cause me to abandon the brand just yet....I hate to think that the people at Prada believe that a lily white image sells, but hell, lets be real here...it does and it doesn't upset the apple cart too much (as evidenced by some of the responses in this thread).

I also don't think designers should be forced to include models of a different race and ethincity, but if you don't feel Prada is representing all of its custoemrs, the best thing you can do is write to Prada Group, stop purchasing and encourage others to do the same until you see some different faces on the Prada runways and in the Prada editorial campaigns.

[PrinceOfCats]

Not bothered. I don't think black models would add anything to her work.

[arlekindearrabal]

totally agree with you, theory... coincidence?? i think not... just now that the chinese market is booming, they cast hye park in almost ALL the important shows, including prada... ai never had so many important castings in one season (that's to be discussed later)

[Theory]

And white models, by default, do? How is the color of the model doing this...especially on the runway (I could see in an ad campaign maybe)...
Not to pick on you, but that's where the problem is, people view it as major differences...etc....no one would ever say oh the white model adds value to the designers work (or maybe because people are so used to white models/standards that in their minds the intrinsic value of whites in modeling is a given and accepted).

Its like the standards for black/asian/plug in any other non-white have to be higher in order for them to get work???? Why does a black model even have to add anything different than a white one.....

Originally Posted by PrinceOfCats

Not bothered. I don't think black models would add anything to her work.

[fouroclock]

Originally posted by PrinceofCats
Not bothered. I don't think black models would add anything to her work.

^^^Disagree. If Liya and Yasmin were used for Prada, it would add so much elegance to the brand.

But nevertheless I don't really mind if there's only white girls in a certain show. The business has a lot of caucasian girls (corrct me if I'm wrong), so chances are, the shows would be dominated by them. And whoever models for the brand were chosen by the brand. They want a cretain kind of girl, and that's thier business. If they're missing out because they don't hire somebusy else, then that's their problem.

[PrinceOfCats]

Because Miuccia Prada is a white European...if she uses black models she is making a point whereas is she uses white models she's just following convention.

[misssakura]

Originally Posted by Theory

And white models, by default, do? How is the color of the model doing this...especially on the runway (I could see in an ad campaign maybe)...
Not to pick on you, but that's where the problem is, people view it as major differences...etc....no one would ever say oh the white model adds value to the designers work (or maybe because people are so used to white models/standards that in their minds the intrinsic value of whites in modeling is a given and accepted).

Its like the standards for black/asian/plug in any other non-white have to be higher in order for them to get work???? Why does a black model even have to add anything different than a white one.....

Not being picky again but the whole purpose of this topic is initially suggesting that there is a big difference between the colour of skin. To differentiate is to suggest that there is a -big- difference no? Its about attitude and the whole package not just about black or white....when I was a child I didn't even notice that people had different colour skin, I noticed them by their clothes, or the way they moved and I still do most of the time...

Now, I would be more worried that none of these big names use models with lumpy noses! If I see another straight button nose i'm going to be sick

[kimair]

cnn looked at prada runway footage and found that they haven't had a woman of color on their runway in six years...personally i think that is ridiculous. it's almost like they're saying "these women shouldn't be wearing prada; we aren't targeting them."

and i have to disagree with you princeofcats; there are many other white european designers using women of color (black, indian, asian) on their runways. i don't think at this stage using women of color in your show is making a point...maybe 10 years ago. now just about every runway show has at least one woman of color, usually liya, ujjwala, naomi or alek wek.