White Models On Blackface For Fashion Editorials

It seems that blackface is becoming an unlikely trend. Despite the criticism, more cases of white models posing as black people for photo shoots are highly publicized.


It all started with the controversial Lara Stone shoot for French Vogue. The model posed with blackened skin for the magazine's 14-page spread, as photographed by Steven Klein and styled by editor Carine Rotifeld. According to the magazine, the image depicted the white model in her "radical break with the wave of anorexic models." (How anorexia connects with black color? Figure that out.)


Next, contestants of "America's Next Top Model" Cycle 13 posed for bi-racial photo shoots. Following the orders of the great Tyra Banks, the 6 remaining candidates of the reality modeling competition were brought to Hawaii where they were transformed into different races - bleach blonde Erin Wagner was turned "Tibetan and Egyptian," Southern belle Laura Kirkpatrick was transformed into "Mexican and Greek," Korean Jennifer An became "Botswanan and Polynesian," African-American Sundai Love was made into "Moroccan and Russian," redheaded Nicole Fox became "Malagasy and Japanese," and blonde Brittany Markert was colored to look "Native American and East Indian."

Disregarding the criticisms, Tyra Banks might be all-smiles now. She has been making headlines herself for simply turning her models biracial.


And now there's the latest issue of V magazine, featuring Sasha Pivovarova in blackface and Heidi Mount. The image is photographed by Mario Sorrenti and is made possible by makeup artist James Kaliardos. The magazine will hit newsstands tomorrow, November 3.


What do you think of white models posing with blackface for photo shoots?

Is it unfair to the black race, considering that there's lack of employment for black models but the production opt to blackened white models for the job?

Or is it simply fashion photography that highlights the creativity of both models, photographers, and artists behind the blackface makeup technique?

Naomi Campbell Wins Fashion Icon Award

Naomi Campbell's fuming over the lack of modeling opportunities for black and ethnic models has paid off. She received the Fashion Icon Award at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Front Row charity event last Saturday.


The Front Row event was created to honor black and Latino fashion professionals and while making her acceptance speech, the supermodel also took the opportunity to continue voicing her sentiments on racism in the fashion industry.

While the 39 years old supermodel has considered herself fortunate to be working in the fashion industry for over 25 years, progress still needs to be made. Calling the lack of minority models in the industry as "injustice," Naomi Campbell stressed:

"Nelson Mandela always told me to speak my mind and the consequences will take care of themselves... There is a small group of people whose minds we have to change because we are living in a multicultural society."

Aside from Naomi Campbell receiving the Fashion Icon Award, other honorees of the Front Row event include Fashion Institute of Technology's president Dr. Joyce F. Brown, makeup artist Sam Fine, and Oprah's hairstylist Andre Walker. The Avant-Garde award was given to the late Michael Jackson and was accepted by his brother Marlon Jackson.

London Fashion Week Embraces Diversity

The London Fashion Week this year is getting high praise and publicity for embracing diversity on the runway with an array of models who are plus-size, black, and around 70 years old.


PPQ clothing line presented its spring 2010 collection in a line-up of exclusively black girls while Sykes collection used models with wide range of ages up to 70. Fashion designer Mark Fast, on the other hand, had three size 14 models in his show.

While London Fashion Week successfully showed diversity, it did not end without controversy especially on having the plus-size models share the runway with the typical slim and pale-looking girls.

Intent to prove that his designs are not only for skinny girls, Mark Fast decided to include three bigger models on the last minute. This decision prompted his casting director to walk out. The show's stylist was also rude to the models so that the team was forced to fire her. Stylist Daniela Agnelli stepped up to save the day, including finding solution to the need of larger models for supportive underwear beneath the tight dresses. The show was overall a success, although there have been complaints about the nude thongs cutting into the plus-size model's skin and ruining the lines of the clothes.

This diversity on the catwalk is influenced by the launch of new fashion initiative, "All Walks Beyond The Catwalk", by Caryn Franklin. The British fashion expert and TV presenter believes that in order to change the shape of fashion, young designers have to be encouraged to have an inclusive attitude early in their careers.

Hopefully, this diversity on the catwalk will move towards an attitude that speaks of diversity and individuality.

Naomi Campbell Attacks For Dropping Black Models During Recession

Black supermodel Naomi Campbell now attacks companies for dropping black models in times of recession and says:

"This year, we have gone back all the way that we had advanced. I don't see any black woman, or of any other race, in big advertising campaigns."

Naomi Campbell has notably appeared in the Black issue of Vogue Italia last year, the sole magazine issue that has exclusively featured black models in its publication. Looking back, the 39 year-old model now observes:

"That made some noise, but, unfortunately, we are the same as before. People, in the panic of the recession, don't dare to put a girl of color in their campaign, full stop. Nor of any other race. It's a shame. It's very sad."

Despite the said dropping of black models this year, Naomi Campbell has made starring appearances in two major campaigns.

This achievement, however, is something that the black model has to work extra hard for. In an earlier magazine interview, she has been quoted as saying "You know, the American president may be black, but, as a black woman, I am still an exception in this business. I always have to work harder to be treated equally."

Fashion designer Bruce Oldfield supports Naomi Campbell's claim in an interview with Mandrake:

"It's absolutely true that black models will be not as popular for advertising companies and magazine covers as white girls. In a recession, it's probably doubly difficult for black girls to get a booking. In this climate, things are worse, but it is compounding a problem that already exists. Cover editors are going to choose white over black. Naomi is not far off the mark."

Noted teen model Chanel Iman, however, believes that making a successful career in modeling is not only a tougher challenge for black models but for ethnic models in general. Appearing in the September cover of i-D magazine with fellow black models Arlenis Sosa, Jourdan Dunn, and Sessilee Lopez, the 19 year-old American fashion model says:

"It usually takes an ethnic girl - I'm not saying black, I'm saying ethnic, let's make that clear - twice as long. We've gotta work extra-hard to stay in the game and stay with the girls who do well but aren't ethnic. Some girls can skip seasons, but us ethnic girls, we cannot skip a season, because that'll kill us."

Aside from Naomi Campbell, there are other black and ethnic celebrities who are presently fronting top advertising campaigns - Rihanna, Queen Latifah and Daria Ramirez for CoverGirl; Beyonce and Freida Pinto for L'Oreal; and Eva Mendes for Calvin Klein Underwear and CK Jeans.

Despite these remarkable commercial ads featuring black and other ethnic models, there is still no denying that white models are more prevalent in the fashion and beauty industry. But as some people say, big advertising companies are guided by profits rather than race - if black and ethnic models are contributing to large company profits, there is no way for them to be dropped.