If designers wanted black models, they would have them in a hot minute. I believe the models who have said they were told over and over again by designers that they weren't hiring blacks. I know the fashion press isn't so hard hitting, excepting of Cathy Horyn at the NYT, So I'm glad Dodai keeps reporting on this issue and naming names.
@Penny Plastic (Archetype): Ehhh..I don't mind "oriental" if it's coming from an older person (especially British). "Asian" in the UK, at least is what we call South Asian in North America. I think "East Asian" is becoming the choice du jour now.
Europe has huge, huge racial tensions going on that most of us aren't privy to. Italy especially is seeing a lot of discrimination and hatred towards blacks, arabs, eastern Europeans, and Muslims. The idea of Europe as some post-racial paradise is a big myth.
For serious, from a purely aesthetic point of view, I don't want to see representations of my mid-winter pasty self on the runway. Pasty skin on wan moddles who don't eat should not be a preferred look.
AND, did anyone see that Epson advert on the NYT site? I can't find it but it's crazy and totally offensive. Or, maybe I just don't have a sense of humor.
@Jessi Ramsey: Servicey! (East)Asian models have definitely had a pretty good run these past few years, and I hope that the other ethnic groups get a fair shake as well.
11/20/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
Was this guy there too?
11/19/09
I would be on top of that snail so fast!
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
Chaaah, a lot of Europeans refer to all east Asians as "Chinamen". You still hear it way too much in the UK.
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
Josephine Baker in a banana skirt 75 years ago =/= racial progress in today's Europe. (Or even much of it then)
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
White is so the last 250 seasons.
01/20/09
01/20/09
"Note to casting agents: Dunn is on the record as saying that she'd be happy to share the spotlight with other black models."
...............
01/20/09
That is the only response I have for that.
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09
01/20/09