Racial Diversity In Modeling

[writergal28]

^No. The poster I replied to said that the idea of light-skinned as force-fed to the public. I'm pointing out that Asians have always preferred light-skin. I'm trying to show why there might be such a big demand and market for European models and less for African models.

Asian CULTURES have traditionally preferred light skin, but this doesn't mean that each individual Asian does, especially those raised in the west.

 

[Zen]

I read & skimmed...


Fact: Armani doesn't advertise in US Vogue.

What are you talking about? I just skimmed through an old issue of US Vogue and found two advertisements from Armani?

 

[iluvjeisa]

What are you talking about? I just skimmed through an old issue of US Vogue and found two advertisements from Armani?

That's an OLD Vogue When is it form btw?

 

[Zen]

^ oh ....nevermind....I just looked at the cover and it's ELLE.

 

[Guessgirl96]

I think there is a bit of a double standard often... No one is complianing that white people dont get on the covers of jet or ebony or heart and soul or essence magazine often and I think if someone was to complain everyone would call them racist... why is the opposite okay? Why is it okay for those magazines to aim at african americans but not okay for vogue to aim at whites? Other examples are BET (black entertainment tv) and the black music awards and I'm sure there are many more. I think its ok for differect magazines to cater to certain audiences.

 

[iluvjeisa]

^That is a good point. I guess the reason is that the majority "rules", so Vogue is considered such an important magazine that it is preferable that it reflects all ethnicities of society. Of course, as people have pointed out, they don't represent stocky or short people either, regardless of their pigmentation.
It primarily presents the ideal they imagine the majority of the privileged classes strive to be. They have to present an image that 1) they admire and 2) can hope to attain. The cover of Vogue has to strike a chord with the majority of its readers. That is probably why the Marie Antoinette cover didn't sell as well either - it was simply too exotic with a 18th century outfit and hairdo on the cover. Mind you, this isn't something people sit thinking to themselves - oh I can't buy that magazine because it says nothing to me about my life - no, it's fundamental and subconscious.

 

[OMIFAN9]

I think there is a bit of a double standard often... No one is complianing that white people dont get on the covers of jet or ebony or heart and soul or essence magazine often and I think if someone was to complain everyone would call them racist... why is the opposite okay? Why is it okay for those magazines to aim at african americans but not okay for vogue to aim at whites? Other examples are BET (black entertainment tv) and the black music awards and I'm sure there are many more. I think its ok for differect magazines to cater to certain audiences.

I have to say those magazines & the standard for them would never have existed if the Vogue's,etc of the world would put minorities on the cover or even inside(more than like a 3rd of the time). Those magazines were made to fill a void...otherwise would we even see black faces & style?! Besides Ebony(which has been around for about 60 years) & a few others used to put whites on the cover(like Sinatra)...probably at the same rate Vogue has over a 100 or so years. And BET always had whites on...but look at MTV they never seemed to want to put blackfaces on during its first few years,that is until people started making a fuss be it a David Bowie,MJ or whomever. Personally I don't see a double standard there at all.

 

[Guessgirl96]

I have to say those magazines & the standard for them would never have existed if the Vogue's,etc of the world would put minorities on the cover or even inside(more than like a 3rd of the time). Those magazines were made to fill a void...otherwise would we even see black faces & style?! Besides Ebony(which has been around for about 60 years) & a few others used to put whites on the cover(like Sinatra)...probably at the same rate Vogue has over a 100 or so years. And BET always had whites on...but look at MTV they never seemed to want to put blackfaces on during its first few years,that is until people started making a fuss be it a David Bowie,MJ or whomever. Personally I don't see a double standard there at all.

But if it was wrong for vogue to do this in the first place, isnt it wrong for the others magazines to follow and do the same thing by catering to a certain group? In this case wouldnt the correct solution be to create a magazine with lots of diversity and not one audience? I know ebony and BET do show white people just like vogue shows black people but its clear what the majority on each is. Personally I dont think it is wrong for either to market to a group, but what I believe the double standard is when people think mostly black or mostly asian etc are ok but not mostly white.

 

[mellowdrama]

^That is a good point. I guess the reason is that the majority "rules", so Vogue is considered such an important magazine that it is preferable that it reflects all ethnicities of society. Of course, as people have pointed out, they don't represent stocky or short people either, regardless of their pigmentation.
It primarily presents the ideal they imagine the majority of the privileged classes strive to be. They have to present an image that 1) they admire and 2) can hope to attain. The cover of Vogue has to strike a chord with the majority of its readers. That is probably why the Marie Antoinette cover didn't sell as well either - it was simply too exotic with a 18th century outfit and hairdo on the cover. Mind you, this isn't something people sit thinking to themselves - oh I can't buy that magazine because it says nothing to me about my life - no, it's fundamental and subconscious.

"Hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ!"

This is an astute observation about the power of images and how small and mean human nature can be. Why do people subconsciously cling to the safe and familiar? Why are we threatened by the Other? And mustn't it get tiresome to have to play the role of the exotic Other, tamed and glamorous, yet as merely a token, if at all?

With changing demographics of race and wealth in the world, Vogue and other high-fashion magazines who do not choose to have people of color featured prominently on their covers and in their pages are in the long-run doing themselves a disservice, if not digging their own editorial graves. I think what Joseph26 may be ineptly trying to argue is, "Well, if you don't like it--do your own thing, don't buy Vogue." Plenty aren't buying.

I still believe the recent crop of white, white girls is partly symptomatic of a fairly newly-reunited Europe falling in love with its own reflection. After both World Wars, and the Cold War, who could blame them? It's been awhile since everyone could rub against one another so freely there. Now, extend that love to the rest of the world, and God do something about the United States! Ya'll are scaring me! Beauty, peace, and love.

 

[ChristionCouture]

I love when people (guessgirl96,ilovejeisa) try to defend and make up excuses for Vogue's behavior. It exposes their true feelings. Once again comparing a high fashion magazine to a non-fashion magazine.

Anyway, I have some big news. I confronted the Editor In Chief of one of the most popular magazines out now. I asked this editor for the real reason behind their magazine's lack of racial diversity. I've never asked anyone in a high ranking position in the mainstream media this question up until now. I was shocked at this person's response. This "editor" responded as If they didn't understand what I was talking about. As If their magazine was the epitome of diversity. LOL That's until I presented a layout of all of their previous covers. Mind you, this MAINSTREAM publication has NEVER featured an Asian, an obvious Latino, a darker skin Black, Idian, or any other race. However, it has pulled a Vogue and threw a lighter skin Black or a Mixed Race black on the cover once or twice per year. I didn't even have a chance to discuss the content. I made the editor aware that this magazine is very unwelcoming to non-white and non-mixed raced people.

 

[Joseph26]

I love when people (guessgirl96,ilovejeisa) try to defend and make up excuses for Vogue's behavior. It exposes their true feelings. Once again comparing a high fashion magazine to a non-fashion magazine.

I was not mentioned, yeah!

I made the editor aware that this magazine is very unwelcoming to non-white and non-mixed raced people.

wow, that editor is not going to sleep for several days

 

[Ferdinanda]

Hmm the race issue has always been a problem in the industry has it not?

 

[Zen]

this MAINSTREAM publication has NEVER featured an Asian, an obvious Latino, a darker skin Black, Idian, or any other race. However, it has pulled a Vogue and threw a lighter skin Black or a Mixed Race black on the cover once or twice per year. I didn't even have a chance to discuss the content. I made the editor aware that this magazine is very unwelcoming to non-white and non-mixed raced people.

I have to agree. That is my frustration with magazines like Vogue. Their version of a black woman is Halle Berry, who by the way isn't full black! She's half white too! I'm not saying that's completely wrong, but it clearly shows Vogue's level of indifference. They have long ways to go.

 

[Ferdinanda]

And what about Liya?!???!!!! I don't think she is half white. So in ways I think Liya is the most accomplished black model..I mean even Naomi is mixed!

 

[ChristionCouture]

Liyah is very accomplished! But she is also of a certain lighter shade. Yasmin Warsome (my fav runway model of all time) is also very accomplished!

Anyone else notice how Chanel Iman was on the fold-over part of the cover of Vogue?

 

[Ferdinanda]

And so was raquel, and stam. I think they put (imo) more of the attractive models of the bunch (not saying that chanel isn't) But Dotzen, and Hilary. They have quite a commercial look maybe to sell more copies..idk.

 

[ChristionCouture]

Your name reminded me of another gorgeous ethnic model, Fernanda Tavares. I would love to see her on the cover of US Vogue.

 

[Ferdinanda]

@christion couture

That's my favorite model ever!

Yeah...sometimes I think she is the real brasilian beauty. I mean dark eyes, dark hair tanned, sultry has a booty. I mean I love Gisele but she doesn't reallly represent the exotic land of Brasil. but that's off topic

 

[JeanAvril]

Liyah is very accomplished! But she is also of a certain lighter shade. Yasmin Warsome (my fav runway model of all time) is also very accomplished!

Anyone else notice how Chanel Iman was on the fold-over part of the cover of Vogue?

That didn't bother me very much but there was one fold-out cover that had one model I can't remember, and Naomi on the fold. They could have easily put them both together!

 

[rangerrick14]

Maybe we just need to change the way we see beauty and women. Not as fleeting impulses and 'it' girls. But as individually pretty and interesting people. I for one would love to just see a black girl on the cover or in an Ed and not think OOOOO vogue or elle filled their quota for the next 5 years.