Fashion Week’s Diversity Don’t?
Who exactly is to blame for the lack of diversity in 2008’s Fashion Week at New York City’s Bryant Park? So far, the blame is being placed on:
1. The fashion designer’s casting directors
2. The modeling agencies
3. The fashion designers
Regardless of who’s at fault, all that matters is there is a desperate need for change. I’m not saying there needs to be affirmative action in the fashion industry, but they have to do a better job of making sure models represent all types of people. 
It seems our country is becoming more and more diverse and in the coming years the population’s “majority” is in danger of becoming the “minority.” If the U.S. is supposed to be the melting pot and the number of minorities in the country is at an all-time high, than I couldn’t help but wonder-In 2008’s Fashion Week where was the diversity?
According to the NY Daily News a survey showed that out of 1,584 available slots, 94 went to black models. That’s only 6%. Asian models accounted for 95 spots or also 6%. And Latina models filled 17 spots or a measly 1%.
Unfortunately, in the past couple years Fashion Week just hasn’t been able to catch a break. Last year there was an uproar over models’ shrinking waist lines. This year it’s the lack of diversity.
It seems the industry is in serious need of a total image makeover. They need to start from scratch and redefine what they are portraying as ”beautiful.” This year’s lack of diversity caught some buzz on the net, and there have been numerous news articles, blog posts and comments about the issue. Most showed people are not happy about the so called “whiteout.” This means the industry needs to start paying attention and soon, because there is talk of a boycott.
Web 2.0 is a powerful thing and if enough fuel is fed to this fire it could gain momentum and seriously hurt the U.S. fashion industry.
The bottom line is that the bar has been raised for next year. If designers don’t start adding some color, and I don’t mean in their patterns, than the industry is headed for disaster and self-destruction. People, like Naomi Campbell and Tyson Beckford, are saying loud-and-clear that they want change. They want the unpredictable fun and excitement that once was associated with fashion, and the industry had better deliver.
Their image and future is at stake if they don’t quickly change their ways and start embracing different types of models and different forms of beauty. If the call-for-change is ignored this could turn into a real ugly battle that the industry is almost doomed to loose. People want change. In order to maintain the prestige and reputation of New York Fashion Week the industry has to stop trying to place the blame and take some responsibility. They need to break their bad habits and as Nike would say, “Just do it” before it’s too late.
Photos provided by Google Images.
Filed under: Fashion | 2 Comments
Arielle,
This is exactly the kind of issue public relations professionals should be concerned about. Out clients. The various industries in which we operate must reflect the makeup of the stakeholder groups we serve. You do a nice job here summarizing the discussion now ongoing in the fashion business.
Of course, the public relations profession has its own diversity challenges as we work to include more people of color — and maybe a few more men.
Bill,
Yes, it’s an issue in PR, the fashion industry and many other fields. The first step to having more diversity is noticing that there is little in the first place. After that you have to understand, why?
It’s like you discussed in class. The only way to get more guys involved in PRKent is to understand what’s turning them off about the program. Once you are able to find that out, you can make the necessary changes to attract them. The key to diversity is being tapped into ALL your stakeholders and their needs.