Few Black Models in Solo September 2010 Editorials

Jezebel recently analyzed the September issues of 10 fashion magazines in search of black models who scored their own fashion editorials. Aside from Kelly Moreira, who graced eight pages in Teen Vogue; Chanel Iman, who appeared on eight pages in Allure; Georgie Badiel, who was featured on 10 pages of Elle; and Lyndsey Scott, who made the pages of W, most magazines, including Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Glamour, Lucky and Cosmopolitan, neglected to feature a black model carrying an editorial by herself:

Why was it important for black models to go it alone? "A fashion magazine uses its glossy fashion editorial pages to announce what is beautiful, fashionable, and 'now,'" says Jezebel. "When only white models are utilized in the highly desirable September feature fashion shoots, the message being sent is that to be beautiful, fashionable and 'now,' you can't be black."
The story doesn't count celebrities (like Halle Berry on Vogue's September cover), maintains Jezebel's editors, because most of them, although black, have very light skin and straight hair. Their appearance underscores the beauty of mainstream white features, and therefore is not a true reflection of diversity. It's unclear why Jezebel chose not to count editorials that included models of all colors, like Vogue's "We are the World" editorial, featuring Joan Smalls and Jourdan Dunn, or Sessilee Lopez's shoot in Glamour with Tommy Hilfiger.

When talks first began about increased diversity in fashion, advocates were decrying the complete exclusion of minorities in fashion magazines and on runways. Now, even though magazines are making steps in the right direction (the September issue of Vogue is very diverse--down to advertisements featuring Joan Smalls and Namik Minter), outlets continue to cast a very critical eye. Is it really important for magazines to feature black models on their own or is it okay to feature a diverse cast of colors and racial backgrounds?

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