Photo: SIPA/WENN
As much as we’d like to live in a fashion world where model diversity isn’t a mainstream issue, the truth of the matter is: it doesn’t seem to be improving. After conducting some major research during what most mavens know to be Fashion Month, The Business of Fashion announced that yet again, white models dominated the runway for Spring 2016, pulling 79.4 percent of bookings.
The digital fashion go-to conducted a survey of 117 key shows during the fashion weeks for New York, Milan, London and Paris, revealing that of the 3,875 model bookings, only 797 beauties were models of color (categorized as blacks, Asians, non-white Hispanics and other). And while black models were the highest represented minority, they only accounted for 10.2 percent of bookings, followed by Asian models at 6.5 percent, ‘other’ models at 2.3 percent and Hispanic models at 1.6.
Lanvin Spring/Summer 2016
Photo: Sipa Press Pixelformula/SIPA/WENN
If you ask us, the results definitely aren’t surprising, but the fact that we’re reporting on said topic has us feeling like a broken record. Yes, the lack of diversity in the fashion industry has been well documented throughout past seasons, but the lack of change seems to be the main problem that we’re facing. And according to Robin Givhan, fashion editor of The Washington Post, there’s a clear connection between the decision makers and the dominance of white models.
“It’s not a particularly diverse industry. We are drawn to people who look like us. Unless they’re making a conscious decision to deviate from the standard, then the standard is what they go for. And [their] standard is blonde and blue-eyed,” Givhan told BoF.
So who’s hands does the problem lie in exactly?
While searching for someone to blame isn’t the goal, the bigger issue at hand is what our culture sees and fashion’s responsibility to change that image. We’re fully aware that things don’t improve overnight, but we’re hoping this repetitive conversation could be the start to a positive process.
What are your thoughts on the controversial issue StyleBlazers? Tell us in the comments below.
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