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Iman hoping black models will be more than "caricatures" in the industry

by Kyle Hepp (Subscribe to Kyle Hepp's posts)
Posted May 21st 2008 at 10:52AM  
4 Comments
Share

It's the year 2008 -- haven't we moved beyond skin color? Why is race still an issue in the modeling industry? We want to know, and so does Iman.

Italian Vogue is doing an "all black" issue and Iman will most likely appear on the cover. But, she's hesitant to play up race because she doesn't want to be just a "caricature" in the industry.

When talking about race, the fashion legend said, "When you see commercials and movies and every other form of art in terms of entertainment, you never have this conversation. So it is so outdated. I can only say that one of the reasons is that models have never had unions, so there is no one to say, 'This isn't right.'"

African Americans in the industry

(click thumbnails to view gallery)

  • Alek Wek
  • Selita Ebanks
  • Tyra Banks
  • Liya Kebede
  • Naomi Campbell


We still don't understand why the fashion industry lags behind. But, unfortunately, it's true. Diversity is not valued by designers when choosing models. Just this past runway season, most designers put no more than 2 black or Asian models in their shows.

What needs to be done for the industry to recognize that Caucasian is NOT the only standard of beauty?!?

New York Fashion.
Read All Comments
Filed under: CELEBRITY STYLE, Celebrity
Tags: African American, AfricanAmerican, black, expire-images2009-5-21, fashion industry, Iman, models, race
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READER COMMENTS

(4)Add A Comment

Jeanmarie, 5-21-2008, 2:54PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jeanmarie

When was the last time you saw a white model in Ebony, or Jet? Shouldn't diverstiy be all encompassing?

Reply »

Finnie, 5-21-2008, 11:25PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Finnie

The reason you don't see a white model or models in Ebony or Jet magazine is because those magazines had to be created BECAUSE of the fact that there WERE hardly any well-represented Blacks in other then-commercial magazines. White models already have a wide and immense amount of coverage in most magazines worldwide, while Blacks, Asians, etc. have much less. Jet and Ebony were magazines created because of that fact, that there weren't enough in other magazines that featured dominantly white models and persons. They couldn't just wait around all day, all year, hoping someone would eventually put a few black models/persons in the magazine. I personally think it's sad that people have to create their own magazine in order to be well-represented and to educate people about other races since other magazines clearly weren't doing that, if hardly at all.

Diversity should be all encompassing, but shouldn't you practice what you preach first? If other magazines that featured dominantly white models would actually take a chance and represent other races, not just Black, but others as well, in the FIRST place, people wouldn't need magazines specified toward specific races.

»

Jeanie, 5-21-2008, 11:39PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jeanie

Finny, I understand and agree with you, but I think the point would have been better made by the minority community by being inclusive and setting an example of what they would like a magazine to be, than by "getting them back" by creating an alternate exclusive magazine.

Reply »

michelle, 6-01-2008, 8:00PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
michelle

Oh come on, you've got to be kidding me. Why should the minority community be the ones of setting an example if they are hardly recognized anyways? You cant make a impression on shit if you're not even leading the pack. The ones (the magazines, designers etc.) dominating everything right now should step up and set an example that beauty comes in ALL different colors, sizes, ethnicities etc.

NO ETHNICS at your casting calls? Okay fine, thats simply saying NO ETHNICS buying our clothes or magazines. Thats cool, i dont want to fork out money to buy your shit anyways.

Reply »

 
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