Beauty & Fashion
I remember exactly why I wanted to work in the fashion and beauty industry, and no, it wasn't because of the poppin' clothes or endless supply of makeup. It was because I wanted to see more Black girls owning the space.
I couldn't understand how I could look at television shows, runways, and brand campaigns, and never see someone who looked like me. It made me wonder about the visibility of Black women, and as I got older, I saw how this fact was consistent across the board for women of color. While the industry has in many ways increased visibility and accessibility to resources for Black girls, there are still times that you really have to look and just shake your head.
Case in point, recently, model Joia Talbott spoke out and said that because she was Black, she and other models were dismissed from a casting call during Miami Swim Week. She said that after getting there, she and 15 other models were told that the castings were closed.
She not only posted a video on Facebook, but swore in a post Instagram post that Black girls are going to prove the industry wrong.
Honestly, it's sad that this is still a reality for so many people in the industry, even though movements like #BlackModelsMatter pledge to increase visibility for Black models on and off the runway. It's tiring to see the same people consistently in the media, who claim the majority of these opportunities. It's not just about being a Black girl, it's about understanding that we are not an anomaly and we can do the same things as everyone else.
Well, since some companies continue to play games, here are 5 models of color that I'd love to see on more runways and campaigns:
Slick Woods
Y'all know Slick Woods, the no F**ks given model who really peaked visibility when she joined Queen Rih for Fenty Beauty. I want to see Slick in more campaigns and opportunities, showcasing everything from her buzz cut to her full lips and gap.
Ebonee Davis
Ebonee Davis is like a beautiful sunflower, one who has blossomed and also shown us the insider issues of being a Black girl in fashion. I want to see her everywhere, slaying that #BlackGirlMagic throughout every space!
Winnie Harlow
Winnie Harlow is not only drop dead gorgeous, but also shows us that vitiligo isn't something that should stop you from pursuing your dreams in beauty. I want to see her become more of a mainstream name, showing us all that beauty has no one look, but it's still gorgeous.
Nyakim Gatwech
Nyakim Gatwech's skin is so rich and beautiful! There's seriously a need for more representation in the industry with darker tones. I don't want her to be the glorified dark skin girl in campaigns. I want her to be one of MANY, showing people that all skin tones are truly beautiful.
Leomie Anderson
Leomie Anderson is a definite OG in the game, but she doesn't get the attention and respect she has rightfully earned! What's amazing is that Leomie is also a designer, so I want to see her on the runways, but also showcasing that Black women can do anything we want! Heck, we can do multiple things at once, because we're just that dope.
ALSO ON XONECOLE