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.

Photographer Nick Knight's Video On Racism In The fashion Industry

Fashion photographer Nick Knight released a series of videos in his blog that criticizes racism in the fashion industry. The video featured the supermodel Naomi Campbell in tank, carrying two loaded handguns aiming forward.

Nick Knight's two-minute, 11-second video contains slates of text that expresses his disgust over the way the fashion industry disregards black models.

The famous text includes, "I am virtually never allowed to photograph black models for the magazines, fashion houses, cosmetic brands, perfume companies and advertising clients I work for. Whenever I ask to use a black model I am given excuses such as, 'Black models are not aspirational in some markets' or 'they do not reflect the brands values,' normally, however, no reason is given."

The slates of text were alternately shown with the image of Naomi Campbell with the two loaded handguns. The last texts says, "If I judge by my own feelings, I can only guess the indignation, anger, rage and fury that black models must feel." Afterwards, the supermodel Naomi Campbell let loose her fury and pulls the triggers satisfyingly.

Asked about his video on racism in the fashion industry, the fashion photographer Nick Knight explained, "If you look at the catwalks, the shows in London, Paris, Milan, it's the same. Right across the board, there's a total under-representation of black models in the fashion industry. It happens in editorial and on the runways. I don't think it comes from the photographers. I don't think it comes from the fashion editors. I don't like to parcel out blame, but you have to look at why business allows it. I guess these companies are being told what sells and what doesn't sell. And I think within those marketing strategies are assumed racisms."