Asian And Black Models

[tiffany]

Originally posted by SiennaInLondon@Oct 20 2004, 02:23 PM
And what about the ethnicities designers just don't know exist -despite their beauty: Mongols, Aborigines, Native Americans, Inuuits. SHAME on fashion.

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I agree with what everyone has said so far, it is a real pity that there isn't more diversity (MUCH more) in fashion - also, designers are really missing out, because there is so much potential in the countries/ ethnicities that they seem to ignore

I actually saw a model from Mongolia a few years ago, I wasn't into fashion then but I remember that she was very pretty - I don't think she made it big, but I still wish I remembered her name

 

[Theory]

I've defintely wondered this about Prada. For a global brand, there defintely isn't much diversity in their runway shows. Back in 2000, they did use an Asian model in one of the mens shows as seen here:

http://firstview.com/MENspring2000/PRADA/P074.html

but I agree that it does make you wonder....given that Prada is popular amongst the non-white set and certainly has a following that includes many people from diverse backgrounds.

Sometimes I wonder what's worse though...a complete lack of diversity and just using white models only or throwing in the token black/asian/latino model in once every few seasons........

Originally posted by Terrima183@Oct 20 2004, 03:41 PM
My defense is just to not buy anything from labels who categorically ignore diversity. Take Prada for instance. Can someone remind me of the last time they had a non-white model in their show?

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[sugarpea]

i also cant stand it when a designer has ONE person of color in their show, usually the "it" model of color (ie liya or ai) and the rest are white...

 

[prixi]

I saw an Asian girl walking for Hermes..I think. But that's about all.

 

[As You Like It]

To be honest, I can't tell most of these white girls apart. Not to mention some colors just don't look that good on a girl with fair skin and blonde or light brown hair. Just to keep things more interesting and do the clothing justice, there should be more girls of other ethnicities out there--darker skin, different features, a new attitude. Most of the most stylishly-dressed women I know are African-American women, and when you consider that like 30% of the general population of the US is black, but about 2% of the modeling pool is, well, you know they are missing out on a large market and a lot of very beautiful girls.

For the longest, I have argued that there needs to be more diversity in the modelling pool; not only in ethnicity, but in stature---there are some breathtaking short and medium-height women out there, and I still feel that it is incorrect for the high-fashion industry to completely write off the plus-size population. Hello, there are heavyset rich women out there who'd probably spend the big bucks on Dior, Prada, et. al. if those desigers would design for their size ranges and market toward them.

 

[sugarpea]

Originally posted by As You Like It@Oct 23 2004, 09:35 AM
To be honest, I can't tell most of these white girls apart. Not to mention some colors just don't look that good on a girl with fair skin and blonde or light brown hair. Just to keep things more interesting and do the clothing justice, there should be more girls of other ethnicities out there--darker skin, different features, a new attitude. Most of the most stylishly-dressed women I know are African-American women, and when you consider that like 30% of the general population of the US is black, but about 2% of the modeling pool is, well, you know they are missing out on a large market and a lot of very beautiful girls.

For the longest, I have argued that there needs to be more diversity in the modelling pool; not only in ethnicity, but in stature---there are some breathtaking short and medium-height women out there, and I still feel that it is incorrect for the high-fashion industry to completely write off the plus-size population. Hello, there are heavyset rich women out there who'd probably spend the big bucks on Dior, Prada, et. al. if those desigers would design for their size ranges and market toward them.

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hear, hear to everything you said...clarification, however, the us african american population is arounds 12%

 

[As You Like It]

Originally posted by sugarpea@Oct 23 2004, 11:28 AM
hear, hear to everything you said...clarification, however, the us african american population is arounds 12%

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You know what? I think I had mentally confused the ethnic makeup of my neighborhood with the typical ethnic distribution for the country. In my office, among the service staff like myself, whites (like me) are the minority, and my neighborhood is very integrated, so I am used to seeing people in just about every hue humanly possible. To me, that's how things just ought to look.

 

[Deleted member 1957]

the most shockign thing is that the only successful indian models i know of are yasmeen and ujiwala!!!

 

[sugarpea]

Originally posted by Urban Stylin@Oct 25 2004, 03:28 PM
the most shockign thing is that the only successful indian models i know of are yasmeen and ujiwala!!!

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as an indian american, im not offended that there are so few indian american models...statistically we make up only 2% of the US population and for cultural reasons, many of them will not pursue modeling as a career...but that said, i DO expect to see more african americans in the modeling industry...statistically there should be more of them!

 

[purplelucrezia]

Originally posted by Cicciolina@Oct 1 2003, 08:00 AM
There are actually many tall Asian girls - it depends which part of Asia (some parts of China have girls who are easily 180cm plus).

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They're most definitely out there...

 

[zashikibuta]

to be honest...actualy..most Asians..(not Asian Americans) PREFER to look at a model who does not have the typical Asian features...Hooded eyelids, dark skin, long or round face, ..etc... They'd rather look at a model who looks white... Big eyes, etc.... So I'm not surprised Designers haven't emphasized the typical Asian look in their lineup. There's not a big following for that look even for (I'll say Asian natives.

It's often I hear a Filipino mother say, (about newborns) *thank goodness he/she doesn't look too Asian, i.e Chinese* With FIlipino babies, *Chinese looking* babies are kinda like that *red-headed step child* of the caucasian race...I think. And it's not a preferable look. (*from my personal experience*)

 

[Stylephox]

I'm Asian and I definitely 'prefer' to see Chinese/Japanese/Korean type faces because I can relate to them (ie what colours would look good). I think the reason why so many girls want to look caucasian, and idolize caucasian models, is because that's the kind of face we see as the epitome of beauty.

more diversity please

 

[Misako]

Originally posted by zashikibuta@Oct 25 2004, 11:21 PM
to be honest...actualy..most Asians..(not Asian Americans) PREFER to look at a model who does not have the typical Asian features...Hooded eyelids, dark skin, long or round face, ..etc... They'd rather look at a model who looks white... Big eyes, etc.... So I'm not surprised Designers haven't emphasized the typical Asian look in their lineup.  There's not a big following for that look even for (I'll say Asian natives.

It's often I hear a Filipino mother say, (about newborns) *thank goodness he/she doesn't look too Asian, i.e Chinese*  With FIlipino babies, *Chinese looking* babies are kinda like that *red-headed step child* of the caucasian race...I think.  And it's not a preferable look.  (*from my personal experience*)

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I think I'll have to agree with this to some point - there have been lots of news and reports about the explosion of plastic surgery in Asian countries so people can get more "westernized" features - higher bridges, double-lidded eyes, etc. They even have a pagent for people who've gotten this done. The procedures are generally cheaper than in the US, and mothers AND daughters go together. I knew someone who even said that her mum is pushing her to get eyelid surgery to look more westernized. To many native Asians, they would rather see more "westernized" looking Asian models than the more traditional stereotype.

of course, at the same end, there are a quite a few Asians with more "westernized" features naturally, though - or what would be considered to be "westernized" - double lids, etc.

I'm Asian with some mixed blood, and I don't feel the interest, personally, to see more Asian models except perhaps to balance out the proportions of models in a show - I prefer seeing African, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, Indian, etc - or more "caucasian" looking models in general myself, but that's me. My personal preference.

 

[zashikibuta]

/\

Well, what I'm saying is Asians and Asian Americans are very different in tastes, in terms of aspects of beauty.

Based on the people I have met, that's what they feel.


It's a sad thing, but I dont know very many people who admire the Asian *look* unless they're horny old men. (but that's another story)...

 

[cerise]

Since the fashion industry and the media in general often define the ideal beauty image it is not surprising that some asians prefer a less "typical Asian" face just as some African AMericans prefer lighter skin or straighter hair. The point is that including a wider range of diverse images would hopefully allow people to embrace their own natural characteristics as well as those of other groups.

 

[Misako]

Originally posted by zashikibuta+Oct 26 2004, 12:02 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zashikibuta @ Oct 26 2004, 12:02 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>/\

Well, what I'm saying is Asians and Asian Americans are very different in tastes, in terms of aspects of beauty.

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[/b]

That is true, I agree.


<!--QuoteBegin-cerise@Oct 26 2004, 12:04 AM
Since the fashion industry and the media in general often define the ideal beauty image it is not surprising that some asians prefer a less "typical Asian" face just as some African AMericans prefer lighter skin or straighter hair. The point is that including a wider range of diverse images would hopefully allow people to embrace their own natural characteristics as well as those of other groups.

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[/quote]

It would be nice to have a wider range of image, I agree. But it depends on what people define as "natural" characteristics.

 

[Lea]

I agree with Zashikibuta... many Asians think there is only one standard of beauty, which is the westernized features like lighter skin, nose etc. Its almost like if they don't have that, then they're not beautiful. Its sad.. they don't really realize that beauty comes in all forms.

 

[breathe0xygen]

Originally posted by Lea@Oct 26 2004, 08:38 PM
I agree with Zashikibuta... many Asians think there is only one standard of beauty, which is the westernized features like lighter skin, nose etc. Its almost like if they don't have that, then they're not beautiful. Its sad.. they don't really realize that beauty comes in all forms.

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It makes me terribly distressed too ... I think it's such a sad thing when people say they hate their black hair color because its not "western" looking... I know several people that would kill for such long silky black hair.

 

[prixi]

Originally posted by Lea@Oct 26 2004, 07:38 PM
I agree with Zashikibuta... many Asians think there is only one standard of beauty, which is the westernized features like lighter skin, nose etc. Its almost like if they don't have that, then they're not beautiful. Its sad.. they don't really realize that beauty comes in all forms.

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That is so true, if someone doesn't have big eyes or a pert nose some (sad) people consider them ugly. I find that silly.

 

[Deleted member 1957]

Originally posted by zashikibuta@Oct 25 2004, 11:21 PM
to be honest...actualy..most Asians..(not Asian Americans) PREFER to look at a model who does not have the typical Asian features...Hooded eyelids, dark skin, long or round face, ..etc... They'd rather look at a model who looks white... Big eyes, etc.... So I'm not surprised Designers haven't emphasized the typical Asian look in their lineup. There's not a big following for that look even for (I'll say Asian natives.

It's often I hear a Filipino mother say, (about newborns) *thank goodness he/she doesn't look too Asian, i.e Chinese* With FIlipino babies, *Chinese looking* babies are kinda like that *red-headed step child* of the caucasian race...I think. And it's not a preferable look. (*from my personal experience*)

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could it be because they have been brainwashed by the west which they obviously look up to fashionwise that the ethinic look is not trendy?