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Posted Sep. 30, 2009, 12:24 p.m. ET
What's Wrong With This Picture?
By Kim Hastreiter
How is it possible that the fashion world continues to enable (if not encourage by its silence) its star designers to exclude people of color on the runways and in their ad campaigns? These shows are looked at by zillions of people, and along the way set the example for companies and fashion magazines all over the world. IT IS SHOCKING AND REALLY MAKES ME CRAZY. What's wrong with everybody? Look around. Do you only see white women in the stores shopping? Do you only see white women on the streets looking good?
I could show you tons of other examples, but above you can see the entire casting for the last Jil Sander show as an example of what I'm talking about. Here are photos of EVERY MODEL that walked the runway in the show last week in Milan. Need I say more? Can the talented designer Raf Simmons really not see how hurtful this kind of casting is? Why isn't anyone but Bethann Hardison talking about this????
Comments
I couldn't agree with you more! THANK YOU for bringing this issue to the fore!
Posted at 12:36 p.m. ET on Sep 30, 2009 by Julia F.
yeah, and fairness cream, only marketed to darker skinned people, what's up with that?
Posted at 1:42 p.m. ET on Sep 30, 2009 by gregorylent
Yeah, what's up with you folks? I love clothes but I hate fashion. On another note what's up with using fur?
Posted at 1:45 p.m. ET on Sep 30, 2009 by Katy kattelman
You are doing God's work Kim. God being, of course, a fierce woman of color. xoxo,
Posted at 3:27 p.m. ET on Sep 30, 2009 by Ron Mwangaguhunga
Kim, as usual, rocking it with some truth. THANK YOU for writing this! I reposted as much as possible. Even if this never changes it bears pointing out over and over again, this discrimination is still very real.
Posted at 4:03 p.m. ET on Sep 30, 2009 by Viva Ruiz
Recently, the New York Times ran a Critical Shopper piece on the excellent store, Seven.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/fashion/17CRITIC.html
Within writer Mike Albo's story was this line:
"The bodies that look best in the clothing at Seven are pale youths under 30, those flute-shaped boys you see on the street with pigeony rib cages wearing bunchy shorts and carrying giant tote bags."
>>> pale
Granted, Albo's opinion on who looks best in those clothes is his, but I attribute lazy, myopic editing to allow such a notion to get through. If I were Seven, I'd be happy for the press, but pissed that all my customers of color were being excluded, as if to say, "your dark skin will only soil the fabric." If I were a designer represented by Seven, I'd be annoyed that my fans and customers darker then "pale" were also being passively maligned.
I think of it as "melaninic fascism" and its ties to classism and racism are obviously still strong in fashion.
Posted at 5:26 p.m. ET on Sep 30, 2009 by D/NO
from what I see... maybe nothing that black folk would want to wear and more astonishing is how horrible their hair looks. Naomi Campbell busy that week?!
Posted at 7:12 p.m. ET on Sep 30, 2009 by Mr.S
Go Kim!
Posted at 6:57 a.m. ET on Oct 01, 2009 by Brandi
Bravo, Kim! Please forward this link to every fashion person you know! I know I am!
Posted at 9:44 a.m. ET on Oct 01, 2009 by Sabrina
i love fashion and street style but man, the fashion world is insufferable.
Posted at 1:23 a.m. ET on Nov 13, 2009 by Mala
i find this awful and disgusting. there needs to be more designers like ysl (may he rest in peace) i am only 14 years of age and i am colored and i live for fashion and this is horrid. the fashion world NEEDS to get more diverse.
Posted at 1:22 p.m. ET on Dec 07, 2009 by Princess
Yes color is needed. This male model Quel White is going to be a great addition to the shows in '10.
Posted at 10:45 p.m. ET on Dec 07, 2009 by Progressive Artist
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