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Miss West Africa’s bid to get more black models on catwalk
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CAMPAIGN: Miss West Africa winner Kadiatu Kamara.
Miss West Africa winner Kadiatu Kamara is using her title to highlight the lack of black models within the fashion industry.
The model from Sierra Leone, who recently won the crown, is the face of the Black But Invisible campaign.
Organised by Mahogany Models under the slogan, “We see things in colour not just black & white”, the campaign seeks to openly challenge the British fashion industry on its failure to use black models within all genres of fashion.
Speaking exclusively to The Voice, Kamara said: “Despite all the campaigning over the last year regarding the lack of black models on the catwalk- with fashion editorials and on billboards - this year’s London Fashion Week still had a low representation of black models. What is going on?”
Chief Executive of MMM, Sola Oyebade added:
“It’s fair to say that the UK fashion industry is institutionally racist. The excuse that 'Black does not sell' imposes the idea that fashionistas are less likely to buy products if modelled by black models. But, in a modern multicultural British society, can this excuse still be viable? The UK fashion industry has made very little effort to address the issue. We feel now is the time to say 'Black is back'. The fashion industry must start using more models of colour within mainstream fashions shows and advertising campaigns."
Published: 22 September 2008
Issue: 1339
