This Model Calls Out Fashion World Racism
"Why can't we be part of fashion fully and equally?"
Nykhor Paul walking for Balenciaga fall 2015 show
25-year-old model Nykhor Paul, who has walked the runway for the likes of Balenciaga and Rick Owens and starred in campaigns for Louis Vuitton, took to Instagram to address fashion's ongoing racism problem. Yesterday, the South Sudanese stunner shared a photo of herself with a caption rebuking the industry's makeup artists who are unequipped to work with women of colour while highlighting the lack of diversity in the fashion industry:
"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. "I'm tired of complaining about not getting book as a black model and I'm definitely super tired of apologizing for my blackness!" Read the heated rant in full below.
A photo posted by nykhor (@nykhor) on Jul 6, 2015 at 9:55am PDT
"Dear white people in the fashion world! Please don't take this the wrong way but it's time you people get your sh*t right when it comes to our complexion! 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 wtf! Don't try to make me feel bad because I am blue black its 2015 go to MAC, Bobbi Brown, Make Up For Ever, Iman Cosmetic, Black Opal, even Lancôme and Clinique carried them plus so much more. There's so much options our there for dark skin tones today. A good makeup artist would come prepare and do there research before coming to work because often time you know what to expect especially at a show!
Stop apologizing. It's insulting and disrespectful to me and my race. It doesn't help, seriously! Make an effort at least! That goes for NYC, London, Milan, Paris and Cape Town plus everywhere else that have issues with black skin tones. Just because you only book a few of us doesn't mean you have the right to make us look ratchet. I'm tired of complaining about not getting book as a black model and I'm definitely super tired of apologizing for my blackness! Fashion is art, art is never racist. It should be inclusive of all not only white people. Why can't we be part of fashion fully and equally?"— via Instagram
Here’s hoping someone in the industry takes notice and makes the necessary changes happen sooner.