Ethnic Diversity

Black Empowerment

I feel as years have gone by there have been improvements with the use of black models within the fashion industry.  Over the last 30 years models such as Iman and Naomi Campbell have graced many covers, and models such as Alek Wek have simply blown us away at fashion weeks around the world.  But why when we look at current fashion shows are there still only very few black models on the catwalks? And why are we very rarely seeing black models grace the front covers of top magazines such as Vogue, Elle and Harpers Bazaar.  Its quite sad that there still has to be a debate in this day and age and why all women/men cant be seen as equal.  I watched a film recently called 'The Help' it made me feel very sad that about 50 years ago things were so segregated between Black and White people and I couldn't be happier that I live today and I didn't have to live through those times.  I find this subject very interesting but I feel it is too big to cover with any justice within this project.  I am very excited to see the new film 'The Butler', I haven't had chance to go and watch it just yet but I feel it will again enlighten my knowledge a little more on things that happened in that oppressing time.  I am putting together some pictures that I feel stand for Black Empowerment that have given me inspiration.

Oprah Winfrey

Nelson Mandela

Naomi Campbell

Iman

Jourdan Dunn

Nelson Mandela

Oprah Winfrey

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell

Tyson Beckford

Tyson Beckford

Tyson Beckford

Jourdan Dunn

Jourdan Dunn

These are just a few pictures of people or just images that I find inspiring.  There are so many to choose from so I could only pick a few.  I wanted to include some pictures of Black Empowerment in South Africa as I used to live there and date a mixed race guy who originated from Durban.  It is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to and probably ever will.  The people are just amazing, but it saddens me to see that there is still such a divide and hierarchy over there.