Multicultural runways - it's about time!
Filed under: Style in the News, Fashion Week
The past few months the fashion industry has been buzzing about the obvious preference for white models. Fashion photographer Nick Knight expressed his anger months ago with an insane online video featuring a sexy Naomi Campbell shooting up a fashion show. While many agents, magazines and other industry insiders claim that there is simply a shortage of models of color, Knight makes it clear in his vid that this is just not true.
Just prior to Knight's video, Italian Vogue's "Black Issue" sold out completely around the globe in just a matter of days. Because of the issues popularity, Conde Naste did a reprint to accomodate the overwhelming response. This is a rarity that has happened less than a handful of times in the history of the magazine.
These two bold statements proved that the industry was ready for some change.
And the change came for spring 2009. Although it certainly wasn't enough, there were many new faces among the typical white girl crowd. At least a dozen new black models – Arlenis Sosa, Maria Fuema, Nana, Hollis, Wakeemay, Shelby Coleman, Atong Arjok, Tamara, Sessilee Lopez, and Jordana – debuted at shows like Miss Sixty, DVF, Alexander Wang and William Rast. There were also a handful of Asian girls present including Han Jin, Du Juan, Julianna Imai, Hyoni Kang, Hye Park, Eugenia Mandzhieva and Shu Pei. Even Indian model Lakshmi Menon walked the runways.
While it may seem like a lot of names, it still pales in comparison to the number white women who walk. Here's hoping that Fall 2009 brings plenty of fresh, multicultural faces to the runways because, well, it's just that time!
