Racial Diversity In Modeling

[AGiles]

In theory, this is an idea that could have great impact. But I really wonder how practical it is. However, I wish you good luck in your campaign.

Thanks! i have some very Special friends.

 

[ad041715]

But some of these fashion brands do hire black models. I know Versace, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana hire women/men of color to participate in their runway shows. I don't understand why my previous post was deleted, btw.

 

[AGiles]

In the current Menswear season not one black model was used by any of the houses you've just mentioned.

 

[LagerfeldBoy]

Why are we fully judging the season so far? It's barely been the first or second day of fashion week so let's not go ahead and make assumptions. Plus, Elfinkova is right. They have hired models of different backgrounds, both menswear and womenswear in past seasons so i wouldn't necessarily say the brands that have shown so far are biased in favoring caucasians.

 

[AGiles]

Fashion is about Now with a name like Lagerfeldboy this is something you should have an understanding of. yes they used a handful of black models in the past seasons due to pressure from the fashion press but true to form as soon as the pressure lightens up they go back to the same old status quo which in milan many times is casting a show and sending a brief to the Agencies with NO Black Models in Bold and all caps.

 

[ad041715]

IMO the black modeling industry is better now than past seasons with models like David Agbodji, Lais Ribeiro, Joan Smalls, Arlenis Sosa, Chanel Iman, Rose Cordero etc.
Yes I know Joan is Puerto Rican, Lais is Brazilian, and Rose & Arlenis are Dominican, but that doesn't change anything. They are still women of color who are surpassing many new Caucasian girls in the industry with Meisel lensed editorials, VP covers, and Lancome beauty contracts. We are also seeing more male models of color walking prominent shows than the past few seasons.

 

[xerq]

^i agree this decade has been way better so far. if anything the industry is taking steps albeit baby steps towards much need rehaul of race and inequality in fashion.

 

[crow_watcher]

I've noticed how powerful it is if you put one black model in with 30 Caucasian models. One black model cast in a show is more than enough to bare in their eyes. And if you have two or even three women of color on the runway-- lookout! Now its like how dare anyone complain about the lack of consistent black models in fashion shows.

The fashion industry showcases what is beautful, elegant, etc... and women of color (quite frankly) ain't excatly welcomed like Caucasian models are.

 

[AGiles]

IMO the black modeling industry is better now than past seasons with models like David Agbodji, Lais Ribeiro, Joan Smalls, Arlenis Sosa, Chanel Iman, Rose Cordero etc.
Yes I know Joan is Puerto Rican, Lais is Brazilian, and Rose & Arlenis are Dominican, but that doesn't change anything. They are still women of color who are surpassing many new Caucasian girls in the industry with Meisel lensed editorials, VP covers, and Lancome beauty contracts. We are also seeing more male models of color walking prominent shows than the past few seasons.

The Sad fact is black models are not being used because these brands don't respect black purchasing power at all. as emerging markets like India and China becoming the way to expand profit we saw true to form *Major* brands included Asian women not only in shows but in Campaigns. these brands don't fear losing the black consumer until black celebs boycott.Cristal learned this lesson and i think its time we did the same thing with fashion houses. if you want our money put us on the runway also.

 

[AstroTalker]

My approach is simple: race needs to become completely irrelevant in the modeling industry. This is why I get annoyed when someone says "Oh yeah, Aminata is my favorite black model", or "Definitely, Charlene is the best Asian model". And frankly, I'm not even sure how to feel on threads like "Favorite Black/Asian/Mexican/Etc Models".

If these threads are all fine and dandy, why isn't there a thread called "Favorite White Models"?

This is why the Vogue Italia Black part of their site annoys the hell outta me. Why should we even think of non-white models separately?

To have true diversity, race needs to be entirely irrelevant.

 

[LabelWhore4]

I'm more discouraged with the campaign situation. Its hard enough to even WALK the shows. But its damn near impossible to be a black model and get even ONE blue-chip campaign. And when they do they get one shot or pushed to the back or both! I still find myself shocked when I look at the first page of the campaign threads each season. And its like no one seems to mind or care!

 

[AGiles]

the best show last season was Givenchy they had all kinds of Beauty and not just one type of black beauty. they show was how i hope the whole industry could be one day.

 

[Deleted member 1957]

I still dont understand the new Prada ad where the black girl is under dressed and sitting int he background of some sex club of sorts. She's also the only one that is non coupled

 

[Fiercification]

AGiles I like that you have brought up this connection between R'n'B/Hip Hop music and designer labels. It's been very evident in recent years and IDK why no one in the fashion press has attemped to anaylse it.

I do remember learning about designer names from R'n'B/Hip Hop songs back in the early 2000s...however this was also a time when Jessica White could get a Chloe campaign, Liya could have YSL, Dolce & Escada easy peasy. Music is reflective of the times we live in so I don't blame you for wanting to ward people off a connection that exists less nowadays...black models are barely represented in campaigns (although the runway is pretty good).

 

[AGiles]

I did a Quick count Givenchy had 49 models 18 of which were models of color which is 36% and the show was amazing.
Versus Celine which used 2 asian models out of 32 which is .06% kinda sad right?

 

[iluvjeisa]

I did a Quick count Givenchy had 49 models 18 of which were models of color which is 36% and the show was amazing.
Versus Celine which used 2 asian models out of 32 which is .06% kinda sad right?

6% - lets not make it even worse than it is

 

[crow_watcher]

My approach is simple: race needs to become completely irrelevant in the modeling industry. This is why I get annoyed when someone says "Oh yeah, Aminata is my favorite black model", or "Definitely, Charlene is the best Asian model". And frankly, I'm not even sure how to feel on threads like "Favorite Black/Asian/Mexican/Etc Models".

If these threads are all fine and dandy, why isn't there a thread called "Favorite White Models"?

This is why the Vogue Italia Black part of their site annoys the hell outta me. Why should we even think of non-white models separately?

To have true diversity, race needs to be entirely irrelevant.

That all fine and dandy and wishful thinking, but we do not live in a world where all people are on an even playing field.

"Favorite White Models" threads exists on here. It's just not labeled as one -- its very subliminal and very obvious to the suppressor. And its a given to the fashion industry, models by default are white. Do you know how many threads of Caucasian models are on here or any other site? Most everyone know who the various level of Caucasian models are by name, even if the model just started yesterday. Yet post a black model who may had mild success, yet not many know who the hell she is. All the more reason to have the Vogue Italia Black magazine to support suppressed models so they may have a well deserved platform. Oh yeah--What is one Black Vogue magazine compared the countless other Vogue magazines in various languages globally promoting and glorifing white models? If Vogue has a Vogue Italia Black magazine in circulation, you know the situation for black models ain't good.

Is it a shame that the fashion industry, overall, truly do not favor black models the way they should. Hopefully change will come one step at a time. People shouldn't deprive black models who struggle just to become a model and are not favored because or race and/or color an opportunity to be noticed. Do not forget their was a time (and still is to a certain extent) blacks were laughed at if they wanted to be a model in this predominate industry.

 

[Northern Star]

I still dont understand the new Prada ad where the black girl is under dressed and sitting int he background of some sex club of sorts. She's also the only one that is non coupled

Hopefully the black girl will be more prominent in upcoming Prada ads......but I get you from this one pic. At the same time there was no talk previously of a black girl being used in this campaign so at least she is there, which I suppose is a small step forward for this brand.....which has been reluctant to use black models on their runways and advertising at all. I know that has changed slightly only recently.

 

[BerlinRocks]

I still dont understand the new Prada ad where the black girl is under dressed and sitting int he background of some sex club of sorts. She's also the only one that is non coupled

Because, since it seems to be a literal reference to Antonioni's La Notte, the black girl in the film was only wearing a sort of bikini and was a dancer in a show ...
But I think she had a partner, in the movie (another "black") ... To be confirmed, though.

 

[iRyan]

I've been noticing a major increase in asian models recently...before I couldn't think of any asian models besides Daul Kim and Du Juan, and now there are so many I can't keep track!