Will The Credit Crunch Mean Fewer Black Models?

Even though we just counted models of color on the runways (as we did last year), and found that numbers are increasing, a London model agent says the recession loves blue eyes and blonde hair.

The founder of Premier Model Management, aptly named Carole White, tells the Telegraph:

“In a time of recession, people want to play it safe with blonde-haired, blue-eyed girls.

It’s very much the case at the moment that everyone plays it safe and I think it will get worse in the recession. People don’t step out of line.”

Hear that? Hiring models of color is stepping out of line. Breaking the “rules.” And if you do it? You’re fucking with your money. Of course, fashion is a business. And fashion is about exclusivity. But in this day and age, can companies really afford to exclude a certain percentage of the population? Or appear to do so?

Luckily, the reporter also interviews someone from Storm models, who says:

“We’re finding that clients are looking for girls who are a little bit different and interesting. Our black girls did brilliantly in London Fashion Week. People like Alek Wek, Jourdan Dunn and Lorraine Pascale were booked for lots of shows.”

Black Models Suffer In Recession As People Opt For Blonde Hair And Blue Eyes [Telegraph]
Earlier: How Did New York Fashion Week’s 116 Shows Treat Models Of Color?
Fashion Week Runways Were Almost A Total Whitewash