A lack of diversity has always been in an issue within the fashion industry. Just earlier today, we reported on the small amount of black models who walked in the Fall 2015 Couture shows in Paris, which, understandably, pissed a lot of people off.
And now, a Sudanese model named Nykhor Paul is voicing her frustration with this issue on Instagram, saying she is done apologizing for her “blackness.” The 25-year-old woman, who has walked for labels like Balenciaga and Vivienne Westwood, says she’s tired of the industry’s lack of accommodations toward darker-skinned models. Apparently, the circumstances have forced her to bring her own makeup to certain gigs as some makeup artists fail bring products that look natural on her skin tone.
“Why do I have to bring my own makeup to a professional show when all the other white girls don’t have to do anything but show up,” Paul wrote. “Don’t try and make me feel bad because I am blue black, it’s 2015 […] A good makeup artist would come prepare and do there [sic] research before coming to work because often time you know what to expect especially at a show.”
Not only are these incidents extremely unprofessional, they’re just down right sad.
Paul concludes her message by addressing the broader issue of race within fashion: “I’m tired of complaining about not getting book as a black model and I’m definitely super tired of apologizing for my blackness!” she wrote. “Fashion is art, art is never racist it should be inclusive of all not only white people.”
Well said, Paul. We can only hope we see changes soon.
