Favourite Top African and Black Models

[simplylovely]

Originally Posted by ysljunkie

Im Really exicitied to see it but at the same time I cant belive that this kind of move ( AA female models at Prada) is still unusual. Its kinna sad.

I'm completely agree with you!

[Adebrah]

I love the fashion shows this year. Blacks had fair chances on the runway

[kytila]

Originally Posted by Adebrah

I love the fashion shows this year. Blacks had fair chances on the runway

???!!!

Really?

A few girls, who have been heavily promoted as ''young hot african or african american models' were give a 'chance', but to say overall that this year, in all the fashion shows.. ''blacks had a fair chance'' is ridiculous.

And I find it a bit offensive that you call human girls ''blacks''?

If so, then why couldn't style.com tell the difference between Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn? http://jezebel.com/358271/color-blind

[kytila]

Article from Independent:

Independent.co.uk
'Why should catwalks be so white?'
By Mark Hughes
Saturday, 16 February 2008

Dunn, 17, who is being hailed as the fashion world's "next big thing", has managed to defy industry conventions by joining the small number of black models on the catwalks. Predictably, she is described by those in the know as "the new Naomi Campbell".

The description is clearly meant as a tribute to her modelling ability – but the similarities with her fellow Londoner do not end there. Like Campbell, Dunn, from Greenford, is not afraid to speak her mind, especially when asked about the scarcityof black and Asian models in the fashion world.

"London is not a white city, so why should our catwalks be so white?" said the teenager. "I go to castings and see several black and Asian girls, then I get to the show and look around and there is just me and maybe one other coloured face. They just don't get picked. I hope it's because the designer just did not think they were good enough as a model, but I don't know."

Campbell, 37, the Streatham-born clothes-horse who has been an international star since she was discovered at 15, has also voiced her concerns about the lack of black models. She declared this week: "Women of colour are not a trend. That's the bottom line."

Despite the apparent struggle faced by black models, Dunn has triumphed. She was spotted in 2006, while trying on sunglasses in the Hammersmith branch of Primark, by a scout from the Storm model agency – home to Kate Moss, Lily Cole and Eva Herzigova. In less than two years, she has become one of the hottest properties in the industry.

Last year, she modelled for the designers Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Diane Von Fürstenberg and Tommy Hilfiger in New York and Milan, as well as starring in campaigns for Benetton and the British couturier Alexander McQueen.

Dunn was also chosen by Kate Moss to launch her Christmas collection for Topshop, and has appeared in Vogue. The 5ft 10in teenager is currently the face of Gap.

Sarah Doukas, the founder and managing director of Storm, said of Dunn: "Every so often, a girl comes along that shakes up the industry – a girl who is uniquely beautiful with a great attitude.

"Jourdan is a modest girl from west London. She had never left England before we took her to New York but she is loving it. She has such a powerful presence as a model and just comes alive on the runway and in front of the lens. It is no wonder everybody is clamouring to book her."

SOURCE: INdependent.co.uk

[kahlilg]

Originally Posted by kytila

And I find it a bit offensive that you call human girls ''blacks''?

yeah me too

Originally Posted by kytila

"London is not a white city, so why should our catwalks be so white?" said the teenager. "I go to castings and see several black and Asian girls, then I get to the show and look around and there is just me and maybe one other coloured face. They just don't get picked. I hope it's because the designer just did not think they were good enough as a model, but I don't know."

That's horrible. I actually started to think that the reason why Muiccia or other major designers didn't use more models of color was because they really weren't any. I still blame Modeling Agency's, but major fashion houses are at fault as well.

If anyone is interested, when I did my research for my essay, that I posted on here a while ago, I found that

According to news provider Comtex “Women’s Wear Daily reported that out of the 101 shows posted on style.com, 31 had no black models, while others just had 1 or 2.” Only Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, Baby Phat, and Tracy Resse were the exceptions.

Interesting, huh?

[kytila]

Originally Posted by kahlilg

That's horrible. I actually started to think that the reason why Muiccia or other major designers didn't use more models of color was because they really weren't any. I still blame Modeling Agency's, but major fashion houses are at fault as well.

From my experience I'll say it's both... First agencies, who don't want non caucasian girls reject you... Which leaves you thinking, okay maybe you're not good enough... But, then someone thinks, you're good enough, and you get sent a million castings (during fw to be the one of five out of maybe fifty) and then the designers barely even look at your book or give you a chance to walk... hmm...
whats the link to your essay... would love to see it!

Originally Posted by ysljunkie

Im Really exicitied to see it but at the same time I cant belive that this kind of move ( AA female models at Prada) is still unusual. Its kinna sad.

Yep, It's an amazing thing... Though it shouldn't be exciting, as it should be normal.. But hey, one step in the right direction I guess, even if it's barely a baby step.. lol..
PS, Jourdan Dunn is not African American, she's English.

[kahlilg]

Originally Posted by kytila

whats the link to your essay... would love to see it!

Oh I just posted the question cause I wanted help. I didn't post the actual essay. Besides, I stupidly deleted it. I only have the rough draft.

[Mchunu]

Does anyone know who this guy is?



modelhommes

[kahlilg]

omg at those cheekbones!

[Ciyvk]

Originally Posted by kytila

Jourdan Dunn is not African American, she's English.

In the U.S, African American is onother way of saying black.

[Mchunu]

^Not quite In reference to people, black refers to race only. not someone's nationality.

African-American is a NATIONALITY.

[kytila]

Originally Posted by Ciyvk

In the U.S, African American is onother way of saying black.

Wow, okay... Yeah that makes sense to me now, to be honest...
I would have done the same thing if she said Agynes Dean was 'american' and not 'english'

Random fact:

A 'black girl' has not been used in prada since 1997, when naomi campbell was used... Naomi campbell and jourdan dunn are not only black girls (race), nationality wise they are also both English.

[cleogirl82]

Yes, not everyone who is Black is African American. I hate when people assume that of me.

Originally Posted by kytila

From my experience I'll say it's both... First agencies, who don't want non caucasian girls reject you... Which leaves you thinking, okay maybe you're not good enough... But, then someone thinks, you're good enough, and you get sent a million castings (during fw to be the one of five out of maybe fifty) and then the designers barely even look at your book or give you a chance to walk... hmm...
whats the link to your essay... would love to see it!


Yep, It's an amazing thing... Though it shouldn't be exciting, as it should be normal.. But hey, one step in the right direction I guess, even if it's barely a baby step.. lol..
PS, Jourdan Dunn is not African American, she's English.

[kytila]

Originally Posted by kahlilg

Oh I just posted the question cause I wanted help. I didn't post the actual essay. Besides, I stupidly deleted it. I only have the rough draft.

Ahh well thats okay then... Just thought some of your info and wwd stats was interesting..

[CharlottefromCA]

New interesting face at IMG Paris



models.com