model diversity

The issue of model diversity, or lack thereof, thrived in 2008. Good! The first concern was raised in February when a survey concluded that out of 1,584 modeling slots at New York Fashion Week, only six percent went to black models, six percent went to Asians, and one percent went to Latinas. Note that this was after Diane von Furstenberg, president of the Council of Fashion Designers, had urged designers to diversify their model selections the month before. At the end of the month, it was refreshing to see Hermes feature South Asian beauty Lakshmi Menon in its 2008 Spring ad.

To read more about the fight for diversity in the modeling industry, read more

Strike while the iron's hot. That's exactly what model veteran Bethann Hardison has done in "Race on the Runway", a discussion of the ongoing epidemic of a seemingly all-white runway. Though New York Fashion Week showed a great improvement of diversity from designers, the issue still remains a huge concern in the industry.

(L-R: Oscar de la Renta, Sophie Théallet, Calvin Klein)

"I think we should feel really good about the changes we have seen," said Hardison, who credited André Leon Talley and Naomi Campbell for motivating her to take action.

To find out more about this issue, read more

While the majority of fashion magazines continue to use predominantly white models, Vogue Italia is setting itself apart. The July issue of the quarterly publication will feature almost all black models photographed by Steven Meisel. While of-the-moment model Jourdan Dunn (left) will be featured inside, it remains to be seen who the title of cover girl will go to.

"We are using a lot of black models, like Iman, not only the models of today – a lot of different girls," Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani said. When asked why she decided to do this, she said: "Because nobody is using black girls. I see so many beautiful girls and they were complaining that they are not used enough."

This issue may potentially be ill-received in Italy, but Sozzani doesn't care. "Maybe in our country it is not the best idea. But I don't care. I think it is not my problem if they don't like it – it's their problem." You tell 'em Franca!

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While the clothes that appeared on the runways of New York Fashion Week represented the whole color spectrum, the same could not be said about the models wearing the clothes.

A survey conducted by New York Daily News concluded that out of 1,584 modeling slots, only 6 percent went to black models, 6 percent went to Asian models, and 1 percent went to Latina models. Although Diane von Furstenberg, president of the Council of Fashion Designers, urged designers to concoct multicultural shows just last month, six out of the 66 shows that took place in the Bryant Park tents had all-white lineups.

It's surprising and frustrating that after this issue was called to national attention last season, it's still such a problem — sad, really.

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In the recent past, much focus has been placed on model-related weight issues, but last week at New York Fashion Week, another issue came to light that needs to be addressed: the lack of diversity on the runway.

The dominance of white models on the catwalk is nothing new, and yet it's an issue that has been pushed to the side. As fashion photographer and "America's Next Top Model" judge Nigel Barker told WWD, "Everyone is always talking about the weight issue, I think they should be talking about race."

Another fashion week spectator said, "I see an Asian girl here and there, but it seems like it has always been that way. It seems like they can't have more than one or two, and it's the same with African-American models."

When I was attending shows, I noticed the same thing, with the exception of a few designers, Tracy Reese being one of them. Have you noticed this as well? How do you feel about it?

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