Racial Diversity In Modeling

[Les_Sucettes]

A lil' off topic, but I don't think that the ideal is to look like white women necessarily, but more like somewhere in between all the "races". Most white people I know don't have long legs, which is a stereotypical trait of black people; most white people are not stick thin, most (and I understand not all, but in my experience most, and I've lived in Asia a portion of my life) Asian women are; and the color ideal in the US is a tannish color, for everyone, which most people do not have but if you mixed all the shades together you will get mean color of tan. It's not just a white ideal, it's just shoved down our throats, pictures of white people who happen to have the desired, actually multicultural traits, so we associate beauty with white.

I guess you are right, read a study about beauty and scholars got to the conclusion that what the "ideal" of facial beauty to the western world,the most appealing according to their studies, would be a mixture of asian and white. Not totally white like as is usually thought.They also said That the mixtures of races make the most appealing features.

 

[xmodel citizen]

OMG so true about the "Latina" thing! I'm part Spanish and people always tell me they're shocked because I'm "too white". Um, nevermind the fact that my 100% Spanish relatives have similar features, and even the same complexion and hair color as me! And the fact that Spaniards are very much Caucasian! Because of course all "Latina" (and we all know Spaniards are Latino amirite?) women are olive skinned sex bombs with big lips and breasts. It's ridic.

Personally, i don't have a problem with white models being featured more frequently than any other races (i'm asian btw), it's a matter of the model's ability to fit well into the image and the look that the particular issue/magazine is going for. after all, fashion is all about image and style and if a white model can bring it across asthetically better than a black/asian/etc model, why not go for her? this is not to say that whites are asthetically better looking, don't misunderstand me.

i don't see the point in arguing about how certain races get side-lined for modeling jobs because it's beyond us to change certain things. (just like any other problem that occurs in societies like the rich-poor income gap, the root of it is similar). it's what society does, there is bound to be stuff like that going on and it's difficult for us to try and change things because it's been so ingrained in society for such a long time. we have been trying, things are getting better but these things take time, a lot of time- to change.

maybe when the demography for luxury items shifts from the vast majority of whites to maybe a more balanced one between different races then will we see more diversity from the models being featured on high fashion magazines.
till then, i'm quite satisfied with what i've been seeing in the issues of vogue that i've bought thank you very much.

Arabic women make up an important market for luxury items, particularly haute couture. Trust me, not all consumers of luxury goods are white.

 

[ChristionCouture]

So true about Arabic women and luxury. (I can't wait to go to Dubai this winter!) There was a gang of Arabic women at Fendi the other day and they refused to speak to anyone. I don't know what that was about.

But X-model citizen, I can get really deep about the Latino thing, but that's an entirely different discussion and I don't have the energy for it. LOL Most "Latino/a" people say they are just "Spanish." It's been this way for a long time. That's the reason behind all of the confusion. This "Latino" label is a new media phenomenon. Ten years ago, none of my friends referred to themselves or their family as "Latino" or "Latina." No matter how white, black, or mixed they were- they were just simply known as Spanish. Obviously, that's not an accurate label. Spanish isn't a race or an ethnic group - it's a language and nationality. However, Latino is an ethnic group that can consist of different races (black, white , and asian). The media doesn't reflect this, so many people are unaware.

::SIGH::: I'm so sick of race issues and racial stereotypes.

 

[Bahiyya]

I've never been impressed by this argument that consumers need to see someone like themselves when buying fashion goods. Every non-white group has managed to identify with caucasian models who fit "images" for decades now. Not sure why whites can't do the same? (Which is a silly question because of course they have and do.)

 

[ChristionCouture]

UPDATES:

-According to Fashionista.com, It's rumored that Italian Vogue and Steven Miesel are doing an entire issue featuring Black models.

-Stefano Pilati doesn't want the hassle of working with black models and their big hips. "It's 13xs more work than working with a more Caucasian anatomy." Article here.

 

[kahlilg]

wow, what an ******* stefano is.

 

[Retro]

Black is finally in fashion at Vogue

Black is finally in fashion at Vogue

By Ian Johnston and Photini Philippidou
Sunday, 27 April 2008

It's an open secret in the fashion industry: black models rarely get jobs on catwalks, in magazines and on billboards. According to executives, they do not inspire women to spend money.

Apart from Naomi Campbell in one Louis Vuitton advertisement this season, it would be difficult to find a single black model in a prominent position in a magazine. Carole White of the Premier Model Agency says she has received casting briefs requesting "no ethnics" and adds: "According to magazines, black models don't sell."

The leading British photographer Nick Knight says: "The fashion industry and the advertising industry are steeped in racism. You just have to look around at the number of black girls you see in ads – virtually nil. Among the main fashion brands, they are completely under-represented. It's shocking and atrocious."

Mr Knight blames business people at the top of the industry. A common attitude among them, he says, is that black models are "not aspirational" or "don't sell in Asia". He goes on: "I have tried to redress the balance. It is enormously important to use black models and models of different ethnic backgrounds."

Now a counterattack to the racism of the fashion industry is coming from an unlikely source: Vogue Italia. The July issue of the fearsomely cutting-edge quarterly will feature black models almost exclusively, shot by the photographer Steven Meisel.

Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, told The Independent on Sunday: "We are using a lot of black models, like Iman, not only the models of today – a lot of different girls." Asked why she had decided to do this, she said: "Because nobody is using black girls. I see so many beautiful girls and they were complaining that they are not used enough."

Ms Sozzani admitted the issue could yet prove to be unpopular among some in Italy, where the xenophobic Northern League is part of the new coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi: "Maybe in our country it is not the best idea. But I don't care. I think it is not my problem if they don't like it – it's their problem."

Sarah Doukas, managing director of model agency Storm, says: "There has been frustration over the years from a lot of ethnic models, stylists and editors who have felt that they were not working as much as some of their Caucasian counterparts."

But she added: "There has been a shift recently: supportive media coverage has had an impact on the fashion industry."

Nick Knight welcomes the prospect of Vogue Italia's all-black edition but adds a note of caution: "I hope all the advertising goes in that issue."

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...ck-is-finally-in-fashion-at-vogue-816213.html

 

[LostInNJ]

I'm glad to see that changes are being made, and by major people in the industry. I hope that this does, however, boost equality in the industry. Wishful thinking perhaps, but to see a variety of girls, not just White, not just Black, but Asian, Indian, Hispanic, etc. would be nice.

 

[hufnagel]

I think they need to have consistency with this Vogue Italia issue. It's like they're saying, "Here's an issue with all black models, it'll last for several years while we continue using white models over and over. Can you stop complaining now?"

 

[kimair]

-Stefano Pilati doesn't want the hassle of working with black models and their big hips. "It's 13xs more work than working with a more Caucasian anatomy." Article here.

i'm appalled that stefano said that to robin givhan, who is a pulitzer prize winning black journalist...

 

[nyc_art_style]

what the h*ll is wrong with stefano. i'm black and i have the smallest hips of every girl i know! and if you can show me a model with smaller hips than chanel iman then we'll all be in la la land!

 

[smartarse]

oh Pilati ...
what a stupid, stupid remark ...
stupido, stupide...
imbecile ...

 

[Sugarmama]

I think they need to have consistency with this Vogue Italia issue. It's like they're saying, "Here's an issue with all black models, it'll last for several years while we continue using white models over and over. Can you stop complaining now?"

That was exactly what I was thinking.

 

[ChristionCouture]

It gets worse....

Wonder why Black models aren't getting booked for jobs?

Back in 2006, Giorgio Armani was responsible for putting Kate Moss in blackface and placing her on the cover of the Independent's AFRICAN ISSUE

 

[Miss Dalloway]

^^That was sooo wrong, i still remember being disgusted when i first saw it, and i have to say i am extremely disappointed with what Pilati said.

 

[Northern Star]

Stefano Pilati wants a kick up the **** for that disgraceful comment What the hell is that supposed to mean. I suppose to explain himself would also be too much hassle.

 

[sethii]

and if you can show me a model with smaller hips than chanel iman then we'll all be in la la land!

Actually Chanel Iman has been told before that the clothes don't fit her. So yes, we are in la la land already (isn't that obvious in the fashion industry?

 

[modela]

stefano is known for being insensitive

 

[Bahiyya]

^^ "insensitive"? I'd say stronger words are needed for a man who thinks most black models are ugly with big hips. I thought that stereotype went out in the 19th century? (Look at all the diverse body types in Sub saharan African alone.)

Wow. I'm tempted to burn my YSL shoes right now. The .

 

[Miss Dalloway]

stefano is known for being insensitive

What? I swear i have followed him since he joined YSL and he was always eloquent, politically correct and intelligent man, so i was shocked when i read his comment. Definietly wouldnt say he is known for being insensitive?!?!?Can you give an example?