The saga continues at recently-wrapped shows in NY. September 16, 2008
*Among the more than 30 fashion shows attended by the wire service
Reuters during New York's semi-annual Fashion Week, many designers used two
or three black models, several only used one, and some had zero.
Most of the shows featured between 12 and 25 models overall, Reuters
reported in a
story<http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN1145982120080912?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10112>
over
the weekend about the continued lack of black faces on runways.
Reuters reported:
* **Labels Tracy Reese, DKNY and Diane von Furstenberg displayed a
high number of black models this season while others, such as Vivienne Tam,
did not use any. *
* Too few industry types are following the lead of former Vogue
editor Grace Mirabella, the first to use a black model on the magazine's
cover, said Tim Gunn, creative director at Liz Claiborne and co-host of
Bravo television's "Project Runway." Some designers consider cultural and
ethnic diversity on the runway, "but there are not enough," he said.
*
* While the issue was once left to pioneering black models Iman and
Naomi Campbell to note, attention has grown recently. This year, Vogue
Italia's first "Black Issue," with more than 20 black models, created
worldwide buzz and sold out. *
* The Council of Fashion Designers of America, the U.S. industry
trade group, has said it is up to the designers to establish ethnic
diversity. This season, the group's president, Diane von Furstenberg, urged
them to seek a diversity of models. *
* "Visually on the runways, it has improved," said Bethann Hardison,
a 1970s African-American runway model. "But the results are still racist.
You choose the same white and you never go towards the brown or the
dark."*
--
"Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over
their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change."
- Malcolm X, Malcolm X Speaks, 1965
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