Let's face it: Racial prejudices have long existed in the fashion industry. It's been over 40 years since Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, nonviolent protests, and sit-ins tried to make the world a better, more just place to live. The civil rights movement made extremely important strides, but it would seem that the world of fashion still has some catching up to do.
It's no secret that Caucasian girls dominate runways, ad campaigns, and magazine editorials. February 2009 marked a major achievement for models of color when Lyndsey Scott became the first black model to land an exclusive for Calvin Klein. "With the diversity on the runway...it's getting better, but we need more diversity in the campaigns. The first couple of pages in a magazine aren't ethnic girls," said model Chanel Iman at a recent photo shoot for People. And supermodel Iman agrees: "It's amazing at this age, 2009, almost 2010 with Obama in the presidency that we should be even talking about this."
Photographer Steven Meisel felt the absence of black models dancing through the pages of magazines and caused quite a stir when he made the July 2008 issue for Vogue Italia the Black issue, using only black models for the editorials. The rest of the magazine took his cue and focused their features on black women in the arts and entertainment industry. It was a monumental moment for fashion, and fashionistas everywhere flocked to newsstands to own a piece of history in the making.
Yes, things have come a long way, and they are still changing. Most recently, Liu Wen was honored with a spot for the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, making her the first Asian model to walk for the lingerie giant. "I was so surprised because everyone wants to wear the Victoria's Secret clothes. I didn't think an Asian girl would get this job!" said Liu when we caught up with her at her fitting for the VS show, which tapes tomorrow, November 19, in New York City.
Be sure to watch Liu make history when the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show airs on December 1, 2009!
How do you feel about affirmative action in the fashion industry?
