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Naomi Campbell Wins Fashion Icon Award, Calls Lack of Black Models an 'Injustice'

by Katie Hintz-Zambrano (Subscribe to Katie Hintz-Zambrano's posts)
Posted Oct 27th 2009 at 2:32PM  
3 Comments
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Naomi Campbell speaks out about racism in fashion. Photo: Eugene Gologursky, WireImage

Two months ago, Naomi Campbell fumed about black and ethnic models getting less work during the recession, and on Saturday night, while receiving the Fashion Icon award at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Front Row charity event, Campbell continued to voice her opinion about the issue, reports WWD.

"Nelson Mandela always told me to speak my mind and the consequences will take care of themselves," said Campbell, who did just that, calling the lack of black models in the industry an "injustice."

Campbell went on to say that while she considers herself fortunate to have worked in the fashion industry for over 25 years, progress still needs to be made, according to the paper:

"There is a small group of people whose minds we have to change because we are living in a multicultural society."
Perhaps Campbell was again called to action after seeing white model Lara Stone in blackface for a controversial fashion spread in the October issue of French Vogue (which sparked some debate among StyleList readers).

The Front Row event was created to honor black and Latino fashion professionals and the 2009 honorees included makeup artist Sam Fine, Oprah's hairstylist Andre Walker and the Fashion Institute of Technology's president, Dr. Joyce F. Brown.

While Campbell took home the Fashion Icon award, the Avant-Garde award was given to the late Michael Jackson, and accepted by his brother Marlon Jackson.

So, what do you think? Do you agree with Naomi Campbell's accusation? Is she right to continue to speak out about it? Or is she bitter because maybe she personally has less work (despite current ad campaigns and recent runway appearances)?

Leave a comment below!

Check out the ad that shows Naomi Campbell's fashion flip-flop.
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Filed under: News
Tags: black models, blackface, BlackModels, diversity in fashion, DiversityInFashion, Fashion Icon Award, FashionIconAward, french vogue, FrenchVogue, naomi campbell, NaomiCampbell, racism, supermodels
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READER COMMENTS

(3)Add A Comment

ehisa20, 10-31-2009, 12:48PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
ehisa20

I personally think she is saying this enuinely, not for herself...She has a billionaire by herside and her money too...she is always wanted for ads and runways...

She is just trying to make way for other black models...

Reply »

Dgirl, 5-21-2010, 11:55AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Dgirl

I agree with you.. i a model my self, and sometimes you go to the castings the desingers just don't even look at you! It's so sad,, they prefer a fat white laday above a tall skinny black girls... It's not the agency but the designers they do have contorol over their SHOW,, i think black poeple should not bye the clothes from the designers who do not use black models on their RUNWAYS!!!

Damn this is so sad, only because we are beautiful.. pathetic!!!!!

Reply »

DAVID WILLIAMS, 6-05-2010, 2:48PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
DAVID WILLIAMS

Yes, it needs to be said.....over and over again until things change. There are so many beautiful women of every color, however, certain magazines tend to use only the European or caucasian models. Please dont misunderstand; they are beautiful too, however, to purchase a glossy and not see not ONE model of color is sad. I've cancelled my subscriptions to those magazines that seem to refuse to showcase models of color; black models in particular.

Granted some black models are not offered ad campaigns - or cosmetic contracts - but at least the editors of magazines could feature them throughout their pages! But alas, no.

Perhaps one day, but I guess not today. So if you're as fed up as I was and am. Cancel your subscriptions and do not purchase A V (although I do love Anna!) or W. Elle is or was somewhat better in featuring models of color. I remember when they featured Alek Wek on the cover! What a glorious day.

Reply »

 
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