Racial Diversity In Modeling

[brian]

thanks for that link, jssy

 

[snowqueen]

never noticed but now you mention it ......... !!

 

[Andro]

this is the thread i was looking for!!

i posted in another prada thread that prada indeed has had a black model on their runway.... naomi campbell was at the spring 1992 show... but i don't know if that even really "counts" or not

FALL '97 PRADA show- Naomi Campbell

Did anyone see the episode of Fashionfile for Prada fall-winter 1997? Naomi did an interview backstage at the Prada show describing how much she loved the clothes and their vintagy aesthetics.

 

[Andro]

Naomi Campbell walking for the autumn/winter '97-98 Prada Milano show.






link- http://www.firstview.com/WRTWfall97/PRADA/P111.html

 

[Andro]

link- http://www.firstview.com/WRTWfall97/PRADA/P176.html

 

[jssy4eva]

Thanx for the pics, Andro....i know that they have used black models, but in the link that i provided on the page before this one, it says that they have not used one in six years....probably since Naomi

 

[Deleted member 1957]

As a woman of color, I personally have made it a point not to buy from designers who do not include non-white women in their shows.

Years ago, I wrote a letter to Abercrombie and Fitch asking them why all but the last 2 pgs of their catalogue were devoted to white kids basking nearly nude in various A+F articles. The b#$%%@%s offered me a place in the catalogue, as if I'd want anything to do with them! I was shocked but not totally because my return address at the time happened to be one of the top prep schools in the country.

I had made it clear that there is a black upper class that does make market impact. When I tell my friends about Prada not using black girls for six years, you better believe they're not going to buy it until they do. And even though it might be a small impact, it's an impact all the same.

Say what you will about Euro. designers' visions not including non-white models but please do not ignore people like John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Pierre Cardin et al.

if i used to wear prada id join forces but ama forward this whole discussion to people i know that wear it!

 

[Andro]

Thanx for the pics, Andro....i know that they have used black models, but in the link that i provided on the page before this one, it says that they have not used one in six years....probably since Naomi

Your welcome Jssy4eva; those pictures were the last memory I had of a known Black model being booked by PRADA. I know that black models have done runway for PRADA's other group labels (i.e., Helmut Lang; Jil Sander; Alaia)...

Lets us remember that PRADA isn't the only brand that has misrepresented models of ethnic backround. Now that I think about it, Versace hasn't used a black or ethnic model in their shows for a while. Coinceidentially, since I believe Naomi Campbel and Kiara Kabakuru.

 

[motaman8165]

What about Miu Miu have any black models done their shows

 

[CelineChic]

sometimes i find it a wee bit coincidental that certain designers tend to put the black girls in the worst-looking outfits, whereas all of the other models look good. but i'm not trying to insinuate anything.

I thought that once but then realized. To the designers there should be NO worst looking outfits.

If they're putting it on the runway I would assume that they think its great, no?

 

[Deleted member 1957]

omg kiara kabukuru just like liya epitomises the true prada image clean no fuss elegance!

 

[CelineChic]

WHen you think about it, how would not using black models be different from not using older women, curvier women, short women.

Its all discriminatory but isn't everything else in life the same way. We all have preferences. I like latino men, my brother likes blondes, my father likes italian cars and Prada like white models.

We all discriminate when it comes to certain things, no?

 

[Andro]

Kiara is quite lovely, unfortunately , I think she is taking a well deserved vacation from the runway. Only after she landed the CoverG contract and probably made a couple of million$; since she first started high-end modeling in 1995.

And no Mod.. I can't recall Miu Miu using any black or ethnic models either. Of course I was inquiring Miu Miu with Prada since its a difusion line of the label.

 

[meme527]

...my OPINION is that this is a calculated move to only sell to a very specific demographic (which in itself is FINE. . . do we really think that whites are targetted to buy Rocawear? or Babyphat? no.)...

just now catching up to this thread.

i think babyphat and rocawear are targeted to people who believe themselves to be part of hip hop culture - and that is very much a multi-ethnic group of people. more middle class white kids buy mainstream rap music than black kids do, and in any urban city you will find a racially mixed crowd that identify with this culture, speak the language, and cross various social boundaries.

i haven't seen runway shows for babyphat or rocawear, so i can't speak on ethnic diversity there, but i would bet that the marketing departments expect white youth as much as youth of color to identify with and buy these brands.

meme

 

[shoexgal]

That is racism because it excludes certain groups just as to say that only whites are desirable and good enough to project the "Prada" image, helping to support the ideas that white is beautiful, fashionable and rich, while also perpetuating the cycle of white dominance in our society.

I think the models are an extension of the image that designers are trying project. While it may not be an issue of racism, it says something about what they want associated with their style/brand.

 

[shoexgal]

And nothing in casting models is just a coincidence for that person who posted second on this thread.

 

[Deleted member 1957]

That is racism because it excludes certain groups just as to say that only whites are desirable and good enough to project the "Prada" image, helping to support the ideas that white is beautiful, fashionable and rich, while also perpetuating the cycle of white dominance in our society.

if i may speak like paris hilton or jessicca simpson, "i so agree with you "

 

[Deleted member 1957]

by the way for those that claim that she is trying to represent something just look at how good naomi looks in the earlier post!

 

[Jacque Marcel]

Prada used asian male models in the late 90s and early 00s...but I don't think they have ever used a black model besides Naomi...

 

[brian]

I thought that once but then realized. To the designers there should be NO worst looking outfits.

If they're putting it on the runway I would assume that they think its great, no?

you have a point!