Fashion Week Runways Were Almost A Total Whitewash

[Chovexani]

(x-posted from the African-American Group)

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.

[noamnety]

1. Every now and again

when people start rating women's looks (usually without invitation), I'll bring up that perhaps the beauty standards they are using should be examined more than the women need to be examined because those beauty standards, in this culture at least, tend to be based in racism.

The reaction is about on the level as the current reaction in the Male Privilege Checklist that's on Greatest Pages at the moment. Any criticism of the system is immediately taken as a person insult and reacted to in all kinds of absurd ways.

[Chovexani]

2. Yep.

Pathetic isn't it. And the point of it sails way over so many people's heads.

[bliss_eternal]

3. I feel the problem lies with "high fashion."

At it's roots it IS racist and misogynistic.

I also see it as a backlash to all of the actors and actresses being featured on covers of fashion magazines (many of color). The fashion industry feels usurped and in response to not having the control to place anorexic wasps everywhere--they shut color out of the runways of fashion shows.

I watched a profile on modeling during fashion week a few years ago.
A few of the high profile designers were commiserating about how "sad" it was that "their girls" don't get covers anymore and the magazines dare to use all those "actors" on covers....some of them even (gasp)...fat. :puke: This coming from a very, overweight man who chooses to design clothing for size 0 women. Oh and he was also one of the lone standouts for offering "plus size" in his line.

Speaking of diversity, I feel the exclusion of women of size is also a diversity issue. I this year's shows were trying to relive the "good old days," where they all pretended people of size and color didn't wear clothing. :eyes:

[Chovexani]

4. That's a very good point

I think a lot of them really do pine for the "good ol days" when they weren't forced to acknowledge models besides paper thin white women.

I am into alt-fashion (being a goth, really) and I find that it is much more accepting of diversity than the mainstream stuff. The alt-fashion shows I've been to featured gorgeous women of all shapes, sizes and pigmentations. :)

[bliss_eternal]

5. Alt-fashion is VERY interesting...

..to me, at least. Goth style gets a bad rap in some circles, but I like it. (I think people are just afraid of anyone that doesn't look like everyone else :eyes:) I enjoy the sense of detail and history in what they design to wear--many pieces look like they stepped out of a museum, really gorgeous stuff! They do all of that and manage to be inclusive. How can you NOT love that?!

I love seeing women (and men) wearing ornate clothing that looks almost antique, while simultaneously sporting long gorgeous, matted yet silky dred-locs, fashioned into some upswept style or worn long and free. :thumbsup: Really cool look!

[Ellen Forradalom]

6. Fashion as a subculture is weird beyond all belief.

At one point I considered it as a career. I *love* to sew and love clothes (although I now have a rather minimal wardrobe. But the whole culture of fashion just seems toxic to me.