By: Taren Vaughan
Model Iman calls for boycott of fashion labels refusing to use black runway models? When it comes to the fashion industry, supermodel Iman is one who has definitely paved the way for the younger generation of black models. Even with all the success Iman, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Beverly Johnson and others have had throughout their lengthy careers, there are still many hurdles minority models are faced with in the industry.
Speaking with The New York Times, the iconic supermodel spoke on the current state of the fashion industry and whether or not she feels it has progressed over the years when it comes to the opportunities minority models are given, namely black models. And Iman says even though the First Family of the United States of America is black, she feels like things have not progressed when it comes to the representation of Black models in the fashion industry and she thinks things have actually gone backwards instead of forward:
“We have a president and a first lady who are black. You would think things have changed, and then you realize that they have not. In fact, things have gone backward.”
And as this subject is one Iman is very passionate about, she is urging people to boycott racist fashion labels who refuse to use black runway models in order to get the point across:
“It feels to me like the times need a real hard line drawn like in the 1960s, by saying if you don’t use black models, then we boycott. If you engage the social media, trust me, it will hurt them in their pockets. If you take it out there, they will feel the uproar.”
Is boycotting fashion labels a start to solving this ongoing issue black models continue to face in the fashion industry?
Well things won’t get better if you don’t demand a change.
Exactly.
She’s right.
I never understood designers not wanting to use black models. If my memory serves me right, black people spend more money than any other race. It would be wise to include us in all forms of marketing.
Well these dumb rappers would have to stop name dropping designers all the time for this to work.
Agreed.
Amen.
Call them out and maybe the movement could happen. Me personally, I don’t go after big labels. It’s a waste of money. No fabric is worth the hefty price tag those designer labels come with.
And the expensive labels usually use the same materials the cheaper labels use. So what are we paying for again besides the false feeling of superiority? LOL.
Lol, true!
Until Hip Hop gets over the obsession with designer labels, this boycott won’t happen.
I’m down. Love Iman.
It is nice to see such a public person like Iman take a stand. Let’s hope it sticks! It would be nice if more of us in our community demanded the same……
I’d be on board with this. I mean, I don’t buy expensive clothing anyway, but I’d definitely be in support. And I had to catch myself, because I almost got ticked at the finger being pointed at hip hop. But I could see how that would be so, being that most of our community wouldn’t know certain labels existed if artists didnt rap about it or whatever in their songs. Idk man. A lot of work needs to be done all across the board.