Iman Calls For More Black Models on the Runway

Classic supermodel and wife of David Bowie, Iman has recently spoken out about the lack of black models on the catwalks. Iman, who first became successful in the 1980’s claims that we seem to of gone back in time and that more brands are less open to using multicultural models. And she is right, last New York Fashion Week saw a 2% drop in the use of black models compared to the previous year. Meaning that only a ridiculously low 6% of models were black. 
Naomi Campbell, who is also a part of the Diversity Coalition with Iman, has also spoke out about the lack of diversity in fashion. The supermodel expressed her disgust, saying ‘ the statistics, its really shocking, heartbreaking. Your body and beauty, it doesn’t matter what colour you are. If you’ve got the right talent, you should be there having the opportunity to do the job’. 
Yves Saint Laurent was known for pioneering the use of black models on the catwalk and was even said to of really helped black models back in the 60’s and 70’s yet at the Summer 2013 show (Hedi Slimanes first at the helm of the French brand) only featured one black model. Its upsetting that in this modern day and age when you think prejudice would be long behind us fashion seems to be going backwards, however with stunning models like Jourdan Dunn, Alex Wek, Chanel Iman and Joan Smalls popping up on the catwalks perhaps its time for the casting directors to start being more thoughtful and radical with their selections.