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A reader sent us an email pointing out that Style.com has a post about the models on the Spring runways. "Diversity was the buzzword," reads the copy. And indeed, there's Aminata Niaria from Senegal; Lakshmi Menon (seen on Vogue India); Liu Wen from China; and Philly's Sessilee Lopez. Four out of 10 are models or color. Interestingly, WWD reports that the "hottest models" right now are decidedly Caucasian: Russia's Natasha Poly and Britain's Lily Donaldson. [Style.com, WWD] More »
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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. More »
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