Fashion Week Runways Were Almost A Total Whitewash

[Chovexani]

This is an interesting post put together by one of my favorite blogs, Jezebel. Yes, fashion isn't terribly important considering some of the issues we are facing but it is still a sad commentary on how we've regressed as a society in a lot of ways since BushCo took over.
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Fashion Week Runways Were Almost A Total Whitewash

When New York Fashion Week kicked off, we swore to monitor the diversity -- or the lack of -- on the runways. CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg sent a letter to designers, model agencies and casting directors last month, encouraging them to create shows "that are truly multicultural." Well, the NY Daily News reports that despite von Furstenberg's efforts (and the numerous summits held by former model and agent Bethann Hardison), the catwalks were sorely lacking in models of color. According to the News, out of 66 shows at the in the Bryant Park tents, 18 designers had no black models. Jezebel editorial assistant Maria-Mercedes Lara, who went through each and every fashion show posted on Style.com, said that the models were overwhelmingly Caucasian-looking. She notes that von Furstenberg's runway "had the most models of color, but then again she did send the letter. Although Peter Som was quoted in The Wall Street Journal as saying 'I do not want an all-white cast,' his show featured a mere 3 models of color out of 18." A breakdown of the models, some examples of "diverse" shows and quotes from industry insiders (gathered by our own Jennifer Gerson), after the jump.

Keegan Singh, stylist:

Every show I've been styling this season has had all ethnicities represented. I work with a designer to help them achieve an overall modern look. To get a modern look, you need to represent a diverse group of people. You can't seem modern if you're only showing how one group of people look.

Mara Hoffman, designer:

I just like the look of having a diverse group of girls. I shouldn't say this, but I actually lean towards darker girls versus all those washed-out pale girls. I just don't look how all those pale, blonde girls look. I totally shouldn't say that! But, I don't know if there's anything the industry as a whole can do about diversity. As a designer, it's all about what your vision is of who your woman is. How do we make a standard for who you imagine your customer to be?

Frank Tell, designer:

You make clothes for anyone who would happen to like you taste: That's what fashion is. And guess what? That's not all white women. Not just white women like clothes -- I don't know why the industry hasn't realized that yet.

Araks Yeramyan, designer:

I don't cast models for who they are, but for how they fit a certain image I am trying to create. The image I have of who my customer is...I'm always thoughtful about making sure there's a broad range of girls in the show -- it's nice to have a range of looks. But really, I don't think the problem is with us. We are not not casting models of different races. The problem us there aren't enough working ethnic models...There aren't enough minority girls to go around, so they're only walking in a few shows. That's just how it is.

http://jezebel.com/354782/fashion-week-runways-were-almost-a-total-whitewash
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It's a long article but it's definitely worth reading, as they did a statistical breakdown of the ethnicity of the models used in the shows and the results are fascinating, if infuriating.

[Brewman_Jax]

1. Fascinating article

esp. with the statistical break-down sections. Goes back to the old basic premise of casting who looks "normal" and not so ethnic. There are plenty of non-white models around, but it's easier to say that "there aren't enough" or "can't find any" than do some actual search and casting work. So, business as usual. :shrug:

Notice that weak meme is used so very often. :(

[Chovexani]

2. It really is weak

Especially considering how ethnically diverse NYC is and the number of models of color. A couple of people in the comments on that post tried to trot out the tired myth that black models don't get as much work because there aren't as many, due to black women not being built like models. Of course I had to point out my 5'9 1/2", 105 lb narrow ass. :rofl:

Fortunately those couple of posters got smacked down pretty quickly, which is one of the reasons I love reading Jezebel. It's a great blog.