Jourdan dominates London Fashion Week

Jaeger Spring 2009


but sadly the only black face...

We frequently hear about the lack of black models cast in runway shows, editorials, or campaigns and London Fashion Week exemplifies exactly what we are talking about even further. In Paris and New York we see Miss Dunn as well as other black faces including (of course) Chanel Iman as well as Sessilee Lopez, Georgie Badiel, and up-and-comer Wakeema Hollis among others.


Hollis @ Benjamin Cho & Georgie Badiel @ Christopher Kane

However on the London catwalks, Britain's own Jourdan Dunn dominates.

British-born model Jourdan Dunn was the only black model to have repeatedly walked the LFW catwalks. She recently told Style.com:

"Luck is on my side that I keep getting cast, but there are so many beautiful black girls. I don't understand why it's always only me and maybe another girl who are chosen."

London Fashion Week may now be over but the fall-out over its obvious lack of black models has only just begun. While a model of colour could scarcely be seen at New York, the situation in London appears to have only strengthened the argument that the fashion industry doesn't truthfully reflect these cities and the people who represent them. This has led outspoken designer Katharine Hamnett to blast the industry in the Guardian:

"The catwalks are full of white dogs. Cosmetic companies don't like black models - the racist bitches. I have no idea why when it's obvious that black girls are just so genuinely much more beautiful than Caucasians, who have clearly got the short straw. Black girls have much better body shapes and it's such a shame. I just think there should be a bit more of a balance." catwalkqueen.tv



Luella Spring 2009


Temperely + Top Shop (Spring 2009 rtw)

photos: style.com

to: the fashion industry
from: tc

designers, please cast more black models in your shows they are the fiercest anyway. magazine editors: put more black models in your amazing editorials/spreads...

you can start with me.... yep cast me. photograph me. i wanna be a model ;)

~

t. childz©