Racial Diversity In Modeling

[smartarse]

Parham, Marti. "Naomi Campbell speaks out on bias against Black models.(NEWSMAKERS)(Brief article). ." Jet. 112.14 (Oct 8, 2007 28(1). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. Los Angeles Pierce College. 18 Jan. 2008
Tell me thats not racist!
The only reason there aren't more successful black models is because they don't fufill the white standard of beauty i.e. light skinned, blonde hair (Beyonce, Trya Banks) or be the "~tribal african breauty~" (Alek Wek, Ajuma N) Do not misunderstand me, all of these women are beautiful even without the "white standard of beauty." However, I'll ask you this: Why wouldn't a black model from east L.A. not be hired? Would you hire her? I'm so excited for your answer.

the amount of controversy Prada has had they'd be blacklisted by the fashion council by now. so alot are misconstrued, imo. it's a touchy subject which is evident with this thread currently.

as for the east LA vs. Naomi, most east LA are commercial. i will hire Naomi without further thought.

 

[kahlilg]

Last time I checked being tan was more attractive to some people than pale. ? There is no standard. Blonde hair fits certain people and brown hair fits certain people. I get annoyed with the blonde hair blue eyed BS when more than half the models have brown hair and not blue eyes! Naomi has black hair and looks black to me, not white. Chanel and Tyra are both from LA.

Of course it is when you're white! You have nothing to worry about. Why do you think skin bleaching cream is popular? Please notice that most of the women on the site are non-white. Are you trying to miss the point? So what these models don't have blue eyes are blonde hair? Are you serious? I won't even entertain that idea.

Btw, I wasn't the one to come up with the idea of black model from "east l.a." smartarse are you even from l.a.?

 

[LostInNJ]

sorry i wasn't trying to single anyone out.. and I agree its a hard topic to discuss.. esp on a forum when the debate can go around and around and around..

I agree with your last few posts...To pass a law would be reaching a bit far, but as you said the runways have been rather undiverse.

 

[smartarse]

I have been as clear about how I was treated at Prada as I know how to be. As soon as they saw me get off that elevator, I could see the look on their faces-it was disgust and "Omigod, it's a BLACK girl." They were not happy I was there and I was treated in a way that let me know that. The receptionist did not even want to train me and when she did do so, she talked down to me in the most condescending of tones.

i am very sorry you were treated like that. that's downright wrong. and the US management should be held accountable with how they conduct their employees. but then again there are fashion companies (especially with status like Prada) in certain division that can be ...let's just say snobby to the core.

scriptgirl : did u noticed if there were other nonwhite employees at the US office?

 

[LostInNJ]

the "look" i'm referring is not about color of eyes, skin, hair. for instance, you take an african-american from east L.A. and Naomi Campbell who do you think a fashion company will hire? they're both black. both are up for the same job. one of them will definitely be hired. but they both don't carry their look the same way. know what i mean? that's not being racist to me.

*don't forget Prada hired Naomi about 10 yrs ago. that to me is not racist on their part nor trying to be pc.
*with scriptgirl she said she felt they didn't want her there. but she needs to clarify that more, however.

I don't quite get what you are grasping at here (I'm not harping on you, I just want to understand).

 

[kahlilg]

as for the east LA vs. Naomi, most east LA are commercial. i will hire Naomi without further thought.

I ask again... are you even from L.A.? First of all, do you know all of the black women in east l.a.? I bet you couldn't even name 1. Second of all, who are you to say that "they are commercial?" Based on what? The traditional stereotype of black women? Big butt, big breasts, big lips? Whose to say that's commercial? The only reason why I can think of it being "commercial" is because the fashion industry is having a horrible issue with (under)weight models.

FYI, maybe if you actually visited east l.a. you would realize that their are plenty of women their who would be perfect high-fashion models.

 

[L0VE]

Exactly. I as a white person I could care less if someone bleaches their skin. I think most would agree. White people will not like you less if you have lighter skin or darker (it's mostly black people who care about this and I have heard this before.) So it's not impressing white people it's black people impressing black people. Therefore it's the black standard of beauty. Take a girl who lives in an all black community who isn't around white people much (I don't know if everyone will understand this but I'm from Philadelphia and we have a lot of different neighborhoods of lots of different heritages) so she bleaches her skin. For what, white people who she doesn't associate with!? NO. It's because the people in her community think lighter is better. There have been studies on this topic and it's not the white standard triggering it. Throwing around black, white, orange, etc. is just annoying and should be layed to rest.

 

[FashionCapital]

It's very unfortunate. Milan seems to be the most discriminatory of the fashion capitals; does anyone remember that New York Times article from last season during SS08? It was about racism in the fashion industry. They mentioned that some Milanese casting directors would, after seeing a girl, call the agent back in disgust, saying, "You didn't tell me she was black."

This is obviously a problem. Saying that, "Oh, well, the designer feels as though white girls show off the clothes better!" doesn't change the fact that the designer in question is, in an indirect way, racist!

 

[CharlottefromCA]

Exactly. I as a white person I could care less if someone bleaches their skin. I think most would agree. White people will not like you less if you have lighter skin or darker (it's mostly black people who care about this and I have heard this before.) So it's not impressing white people it's black people impressing black people. Therefore it's the black standard of beauty. Take a girl who lives in an all black community who isn't around white people much (I don't know if everyone will understand this but I'm from Philadelphia and we have a lot of different neighborhoods of lots of different heritages) so she bleaches her skin. For what, white people who she doesn't associate with!? NO. It's because the people in her community think lighter is better. There have been studies on this topic and it's not the white standard triggering it. Throwing around black, white, orange, etc. is just annoying and should be layed to rest.

oh.... my... I could respond but it would be SOOOO off topic.

I just want to say that is a very SIMPLIFIED way of thinking of the issue

 

[L0VE]

I also think it goes both ways with castings. Baby phat has turned away girls because they didn't like how they filled out the clothing, stating that white girls have no a**. It's wrong on both ends.

 

[FashionCapital]

Exactly. I as a white person I could care less if someone bleaches their skin. I think most would agree. White people will not like you less if you have lighter skin or darker (it's mostly black people who care about this and I have heard this before.) So it's not impressing whit people it's black people impressing black people. Therefore it's the black standard of beauty. Take a girl who lives in an all black community who isn't around white people much (I don't know if everyone will understand this but I'm from Philadelphia and we have a lot of different neighborhoods of lots of different heritages) so she bleaches her skin. For what, white people who she doesn't associate with!? NO. It's because the people in her community think lighter is better. There have been studies on this topic and it's not the white standard triggering it.

It's the same thing among many cultures, especially among Indians. There was actually a very insightful Washington Post article about a month ago about the lack of Indian models in India due to a higher demand for lighter-skinned, European models. I think this mainly stems from an inferiority complex; one of the analysts in the article said that casting directors most likely hire European models because that move says, "Hey, if white people wear our brand, then it's really good!" Countries like India still feel the effects of British/European colonization. Heck, the caste system itself was first based on color, and this discriminatory nature was only heightened through the emergence of British India.

 

[smartarse]

I ask again... are you even from L.A.? First of all, do you know all of the black women in east l.a.? I bet you couldn't even name 1. Second of all, who are you to say that "they are commercial?" Based on what? The traditional stereotype of black women? Big butt, big breasts, big lips? Whose to say that's commercial? The only reason why I can think of it being "commercial" is because the fashion industry is having a horrible issue with (under)weight models.

FYI, maybe if you actually visited east l.a. you would realize that their are plenty of women their who would be perfect high-fashion models.

i'm not from east LA, although, i've been to LA. I have seen models there but most dont have the look that NY and Europe goes for. you may think otherwise but that's your opinion.

 

[kahlilg]

i'm not from east LA, although, i've been to LA. I have seen models there but most dont have the look that NY and Europe goes for. you may think otherwise but that's your opinion.

guess we must agree to disagree
i love this thread. it feels good to get some things off of my chest.

 

[L0VE]

i'm not from east LA, although, i've been to LA. I have seen models there but most dont have the look that NY and Europe goes for. you may think otherwise but that's your opinion.

Well Tyra banks would agree. She has told the girls on ANTM that they can't talk "black or ghetto" as she calls it. If someone wants to change the "white ideal" then they first need to stop letting these words come out of their own mouths! It's common sense.

 

[rubydon]

Parham, Marti. "Naomi Campbell speaks out on bias against Black models.(NEWSMAKERS)(Brief article). ." Jet. 112.14 (Oct 8, 2007 28(1). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. Los Angeles Pierce College. 18 Jan. 2008
Tell me thats not racist!
The only reason there aren't more successful black models is because they don't fufill the white standard of beauty i.e. light skinned, blonde hair (Beyonce, Trya Banks) or be the "~tribal african breauty~" (Alek Wek, Ajuma N) Do not misunderstand me, all of these women are beautiful even without the "white standard of beauty." However, I'll ask you this: Why wouldn't a black model from east L.A. not be hired? Would you hire her? I'm so excited for your answer.

So how do you explain Naomi Campbell's success? Or Liya's? Neither is especially light-skinned, though Naomi has been known to be blonde and blue-eyed when the mood strikes her. Yet both are known to be among the most successful black models working today -- the most successful models period. They both obviously do meet a certain Western aesthetic when it comes to beauty, but that doesn't make them any less black. Liya is very much your typical Ethiopian girl, and there is nothing about Naomi's features that is especially European.

To me, the whole notion that black models have to look white with blonde hair and blue eyes to be successful speaks more of the internalized prejudice of the person who's making that statement than anything else, since the evidence simply doesn't show this statement to be true. There are lots of black girls out there who are very light skinned with light eyes, yet the most successful black models -- from Beverly Johnson to Iman to Naomi Campbell -- don't fall within this category. Tyra had blonde hair and light eyes, but she was more a commercial girl, and never really made an impact in high fashion. It's time to give that whole "you need to have light skin and light eyes to be successful" thing a rest.

 

[L0VE]

I also want to appologize if I'm comming off the wrong way or offending anyone, that is not my intention.I'm not one to join in on heated or touchy topics, usually.

 

[LUXXX]

I can comment on this first hand. I temped for the American offices of Prada in NYC. As soon as I walked in, I was met with unfriendly stares. The look on their faces seemed to say "Oh, no, not a black girl." Now I have to admit, this is not something I am used to as I am an extremely light skinned black girl, but that is neither here nor there. This was about 10 years ago, when Lauryn Hill was a big deal. Her stylist kept calling to try and borrow a Prada dress for Lauryn to wear to an event. I was told to keep giving the stylist the runaround. The stylist confided to me that she had been trying to call Prada for a month or even meet with them re styling Lauryn, but she had been given the cold shoulder. Contrast that to her colleague, who repped a white celeb, who was instantly given any Prada gear requested

That's interesting and in my mind...Lauryn Hill was an intelligent beauty, so you would think she would fit their aesthetic well. It seems like they have a very clear idea of who they want representing their brand in campaigns, runways and red carpets.

 

[smartarse]

^ just to add , just because there's lack of models of color or lack of black celebrities borrowing their couture it does not mean consumer of all colors are prohibited to purchase and wear all things Prada.

 

[kahlilg]

So how do you explain Naomi Campbell's success? Or Liya's? Neither is especially light-skinned, though Naomi has been known to be blonde and blue-eyed when the mood strikes her. Yet both are known to be among the most successful black models working today -- the most successful models period. They both obviously do meet a certain Western aesthetic when it comes to beauty, but that doesn't make them any less black. Liya is very much your typical Ethiopian girl, and there is nothing about Naomi's features that is especially European.

To me, the whole notion that black models have to look white with blonde hair and blue eyes to be successful speaks more of the internalized prejudice of the person who's making that statement than anything else, since the evidence simply doesn't show this statement to be true. There are lots of black girls out there who are very light skinned with light eyes, yet the most successful black models -- from Beverly Johnson to Iman to Naomi Campbell -- don't fall within this category. Tyra had blonde hair and light eyes, but she was more a commercial girl, and never really made an impact in high fashion. It's time to give that whole "you need to have light skin and light eyes to be successful" thing a rest.

My point was that a lot of black models in the industry fall victim to the white standards of beauty. Yes these women are the most successful, but there are plenty of other black models who weren't able to become as successful. Remember the black model that had to cover her face on the cover of British Vogue?
I'm not saying they need to have "light skin and light eyes to be successful." Those women just had to work extra hard to be successful as they are now! Like Naomi said, thanks to white supermodel Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, she was able to get those shows. They wouldn't have hired her without them. Also, did you miss the point where I said that even the dark african beauty is accepted in the white standard of beauty?

 

[LostInNJ]

^ just to add , just because there's lack of models of color or lack of black celebrities borrowing their couture it does not mean consumer of all colors are prohibited to purchase and wear all things Prada.

I think that that is the point many people, both here and in the industry have a problem with. It is as if designers, not just Prada, are blind to the fact that their customers are all races. This extends beyond a black/white issue. With all of these "emerging" markets designers are tapping into and trying to sell products to, you'd think they would try and market themselves to appear that way.