At the height of NYFW, top black supermodels Iman and Naomi Campbell along with activist and former model Bethann Hardison joined together to initiate a new call for diversity on the runway. Together, the terrific trio formed a group called the Diversity Coalition, in hopes of drawing attention to the “acts of racism” conducted by several top designers.
Model turned make-up mogul Iman, who seems to be the power player of the group, expressed her outrage on “Good Morning America” earlier this week, stating that:
“There were more black models working then (in the 70’s), then it is happening in 2013.”
While the models claim that “nobody is calling any of the designers racist,” they believe that “the act itself” denying black women with talent to walk the runway, “is racism.”
“There is a time where silence is not acceptable at all,” Iman told “Good Morning America.” “And if the conversation cannot be had publicly in our industry, then inherently there is something wrong with the industry.” she continued.
In addition, Victoria’s Secret model Chanel Iman and top black supermodel Jourdan Dunn have recently come forward and expressed their concerns with racism within the industry. While the issue is far from being resolved, the Diversity Coalition continues to push forward with the intent to inspire real change.
Check out some of today’s top black runway models below.
Click here to view Iman’s demand for change! – ruthie hawkins/@ruubabie
