Glass Ceiling? Try Glass Mirror

One of the most difficult and persistent hurdles that multicultural women face is found in one of the few industries where women out-earn men. In other words, in the fashion industry. More recently, efforts have been made to change the representation of ethnically diverse models in the modeling industry. Diane von Furstenberg, designer and president of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), sent a letter out to designers before fashion week last year encouraging them to use ethnically diverse models in their runway shows. Robin Givhan, fashion writer for the Washington Post has written several articles on the subject.

Nevertheless, there remains a firm barrier in place that prevents multicultural women from significant representation, even in an industry where they are significant consumers.

Enter Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue.

Sozzani, inspired in part by Barack Obama and in part by Black models she knows, decided to create an issue with only Black models, shot by famed photographer Steven Meisel. It’s the July 2008 issue and features such models as Iman, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Liya Kebede, Veronica Webb, Jourdan Dunn, Chanel Iman and Sessilee Lopez. For those of you looking for full-figured representation in the magazine, word is that Toccara (from ANTM) is in the issue, as well.

As a black woman, I am really looking forward to seeing a magazine full of beautiful images of women who share my ethnicity–a rare thing, indeed!

As a multicultural woman, I recognize that this step only marginally impacts Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, Native American, and Latina models with what are termed indigenous features (Latinas with european features are among the highest-paid in the industry). I can only hope that this move by Italian Vogue will impact designers and advertisers to consider all types of ethnic diversity on the runway and in print. There is still much work to be done to promote the inclusion of multicultural models. In honor of them, below are links to a few models which you probably don’t know (unless you are really into fashion):

Indrani Dasgupta (India) – Indian supermodel who has walked Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. Kinée Diof (Senegal) – Popular model who has done shows such as Lanvin, Tuleh, YSL, and Louis Vuitton. Serious stuff, this.
Du Juan (Chinese) – Featured on first cover of Chinese Vogue. And really, how many models do you know who play chess in their spare time?
Kiki Kang (Chinese) – Modeled in Fendi’s 2007 show on the Great Wall of China (that’s Karl Lagerfeld, by the way).
Sessilee Lopez (African-American) – Discovered in an open call event at a mall! Has been featured in major fashion magazines such as WWD, Vogue (American, Italian, French, Japanese), Elle and many others. She’s in the July 2008 Italian Vogue issue.
Lakshmi Menon (India) – Face of Hermès 2008 Spring (Printemps) campaign and has opened Givenchy couture.
Emma Pei (Chinese) – Dior. Need I say more?
Chanel Iman Robinson (African-American) – Well-known model who has walked in runway shows by Valentino, Dior, Gaultier, Hermès, YSL, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Allesandro Dell’Acqua, Heatherette…and the list goes on and on!
Charo Ronquillo (Filipino) – Has modeled for Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor, Macy’s and been featured in the pages of Marie Claire.
Lili Shen (Chinese) – Has walked the runways for Giorgio Armani, Vivenne Westwood, and Gianfranco Ferre.

(As a side note, I won’t even tell you what kind of results popped up on Google when I searched for ethnic models. Really, it was awful. Note to self: next project, clean up Internet.)

I’ll end (as the New York Times did) with Meisel’s words. His final statement, to me, describes a view of multicultural women in modeling that makes alot of sense.

“‘Here’s this exquisite girl,’ he said, addressing no one in particular. ‘What don’t you get? She’s a beautiful woman. There was no trick to it.’”

JFC