Liyah Kebede, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell for upcoming VOGUE ITALIA cover
Once again models of color are being shunned from the catwalk. The Haute Couture Fall 2008 runway shows in Paris began yesterday and before the week was over, it was disclosed that there are no Black models available to book for the catwalks there.
Reps for Parisian designer Jean Paul Gaultier have expressed dismay over the lack of ethnic models for them to hire for their show. "It's really very difficult at the moment. There are no black models on the market, the agencies have none," they told Agence France Presse, one of the oldest news agencies in the world. Christian Dior held his show today and if you peep it on style.com you will see there wasn't a model of color in it despite all the recent press about the issue.
This comes as quite a shock to some considering other Europeans have made strides recently to be more inclusive. The upcoming July issue of VOGUE ITALIA will feature all Black models and celebrities, including Naomi Campbell, Iman and even ANTM cyle 3 contestant/BET host Toccara in a stance against discrimnation. VOGUE photographer Steven Meisel was quoted in the New York Times recently stating that "we live in such a narrow place. Age, weight, sexulity, race-every kind of prejudice." The issue arrives on newsstands in America this week.
Erykah for Tom Ford
Fashion maven Tom Ford obviously jumped on the fight for Black Girl Love bandwagon with Meisel when he announced this year that soul songstress/activist Eykah Badu would appear in the ad campaign for his next fragrance White Patchouli.
The ex-Creative Director of Gucci tapped the petite green-eyed beauty for the ads that will appear in the September issue of fashion magazines. It was photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, who shot this spring's unforgettable David Beckham for Emporio Armani underwear ads.
The image featuring Badu (left) is beautiful and will certainly appeal to a more mainstream audience who may have never bought a Badu album. Music industry insiders were shocked to see the hippie, backpacker, tree-huggin' type make such a commercial move considering her penchant for going barefoot and lighting incense and candles on stage. Her vibe has always seemed more Carol's Daughter than Gucci. Either way, she looks fabulous with her bare shoulders exposed and Diana Ross-inpired hairdo. The fragrance will hit stores in September.
Erykah Badu for Tom Ford's White Patchouli ad
Nas for Fila
Rapper Nas has also made an untraditional move of signing an endorsement deal with a major brand: he will promote athletic apparel company Fila in his promotional print and TV campaign as well as the tour.
The brand, most identified with old school 80s hip-hop when it was worn by rappers Slick Rick and Eric B. & Rakim, timed the deal perfectly with the release of his upcoming album set for release on July 15. Fila is super excited: "Nas isn't interested in selling out. He's interested in being true, and that fits with our brand, " said Fila president John Epstein.
As to why Nas made the unexpected move: "My best friend Will and I loved Fila," Nas told Billboard. "It represented prestige and everything that was cool to us. When Will passed, we buried him in a black Fila sweat suit, so doing a deal with them has a lot of significance for me."
Hats off to Nas for keeping it gutter while getting paid at the same time.
Nas wearing FILA
1. I love the ideal that Eykah Badu would appear in the ad campaign she looks fabulous.
SHARON at 11:55PM on Jul 1st 2008