Can This Non-White Modeling Agency Solve Fashion’s Diversity Problem?
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- July 23, 2015
Photo: WENNWe’ve said it once and we’ll say it again–the fashion industry is really bad at diversity. Despite names like Joan Smalls, Jourdan Dunn and Malaika Firth making headlines every other week, the number of brown girls on the runway is still abysmal and makeup artists still don’t provide for those with deeper complexions.
Could an agency dedicated solely to beauties of color spark change?
That’s what Nafisa Kaptownwala–founder of the Lorde modeling agency–hopes for. Last year, the 26 year old started her revolutionary business in London and has since signed more than 60 faces, who can be found inside the pages of i-D, Dazed & Confused and more.
“There’s still not a massive demand because this is still a radical idea and people in fashion are not really ready for it,” she tells The Guardian in an exclusive interview. “How does that make me feel? In general I think, as a person of colour, you internalise. Creating this agency is a way to channel those feelings.”
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Despite these harsh truths, there is a glimmer of hope, thanks to designers like Riccardo Tisci and Olivier Rousteing ,who have spoken out about the whitewashing of campaigns and otherwise. Additionally, we have legends like Iman and Naomi Campbell who have always kept it “A1″ about the struggles that came with their game changing careers.
Long story short: it still isn’t enough. It takes more than a group of veterans and two designers to ignite a movement. We need more brave, new faces like Kaptownwala who not only discover talent, but have an insider’s understanding of what beauty means in 2015.
“People are posing in their own ways, creating their own photo shoots,” she says. “It redefines beauty, opens things up and allows people to say ‘I want to be part of this.’”
Although an agency dedicated to minorities is truly laudable, we would love to see mainstream agencies and fashion houses actively stand in solidarity by offering more work to people of color.
Tell us your thoughts on the never ending issue of fashion diversity below.
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