This is the first posting from yours truly, my friends. Feel free to rant with or against me, as I choose to ramble however I please.
We all know about the fashion world's selectivity in selecting models. Models have to be of a certain weight, height, shape, blah-blah de blah-blah-blah. You could probably pick an argument with the fashion world for discriminating against left-handed people and still have a case.
At a panel-led discussion at the New York Public Library on Monday evening Ms. Bethann Hardison, former model and agency owner decried the fashion magazines such as Glamour and Vogue for lack of racial representation. As reported in the October 16 issues of the Metro Newspaper, Hardison denounced such forms of popular media for neglecting to consider such an important issues in selecting models for their ad, reminding her audience of a time when diversity was a high priority.
Big names such as Iman, Beverly Smith, and fashion designer Tracy Reese attended the sold-out event.
By the way, Hardison, who began her career as a model in 1969, has become known for constantly challenging ideas of fashion and beauty. She has since produced many fashion shows, fostered the creation of Bethann Management Co., Inc., a talent-managing agency, and managed public relations.
Hardison definitely has a point. But what makes me wonder is, how much is this fight worth fighting? Before you start throwing tomatoes, here me out. Magazines cater to an audience. I think we can all agree that the majority of Vogue's readers are likely Caucasian. I'm not sure how pleased a little white girl would be if she opened a Vogue Mag to see a black chick wearing a hot outfit. As a white person, it might be a little subconsciously unsettling to actually see black people dressing better than you.
Some people just make up their minds that there is no place for them in the white world. That's what Essence Magazine is for. I can't tell you how happy I get when I see black women in that magazine, page after page after page.
On the other hand, you may be of the opinion that the fashion world is the fashion world, and that any white person who chooses to let race get in the way of such a form of aesthetic beauty is either, apart for being racist, visually impaired or sartorially challenged. After all, certain textures of clothes do look better on darker tones.
It makes you think, as a black person, on what basis do you define your world? And on your basis, do you choose to fight against discrimination within the system or for visibility outside of it?
We all know about the fashion world's selectivity in selecting models. Models have to be of a certain weight, height, shape, blah-blah de blah-blah-blah. You could probably pick an argument with the fashion world for discriminating against left-handed people and still have a case.
At a panel-led discussion at the New York Public Library on Monday evening Ms. Bethann Hardison, former model and agency owner decried the fashion magazines such as Glamour and Vogue for lack of racial representation. As reported in the October 16 issues of the Metro Newspaper, Hardison denounced such forms of popular media for neglecting to consider such an important issues in selecting models for their ad, reminding her audience of a time when diversity was a high priority.
Big names such as Iman, Beverly Smith, and fashion designer Tracy Reese attended the sold-out event.
By the way, Hardison, who began her career as a model in 1969, has become known for constantly challenging ideas of fashion and beauty. She has since produced many fashion shows, fostered the creation of Bethann Management Co., Inc., a talent-managing agency, and managed public relations.
Hardison definitely has a point. But what makes me wonder is, how much is this fight worth fighting? Before you start throwing tomatoes, here me out. Magazines cater to an audience. I think we can all agree that the majority of Vogue's readers are likely Caucasian. I'm not sure how pleased a little white girl would be if she opened a Vogue Mag to see a black chick wearing a hot outfit. As a white person, it might be a little subconsciously unsettling to actually see black people dressing better than you.
Some people just make up their minds that there is no place for them in the white world. That's what Essence Magazine is for. I can't tell you how happy I get when I see black women in that magazine, page after page after page.
On the other hand, you may be of the opinion that the fashion world is the fashion world, and that any white person who chooses to let race get in the way of such a form of aesthetic beauty is either, apart for being racist, visually impaired or sartorially challenged. After all, certain textures of clothes do look better on darker tones.
It makes you think, as a black person, on what basis do you define your world? And on your basis, do you choose to fight against discrimination within the system or for visibility outside of it?
--Le griot ésotérique
