Are black models with natural hair as successful in the fashion industry?


Yes black models with natural hair have become successful (Rose Cordero, Arlenis Sosa). I don’t think hair is that crucial in fashion because a models’ hair will always be changed or re-styled for a particular job or a fashion show. I find some black women who are interested in modelling put too much emphasis on hair forgetting that modeling is about selling a product.


Do black male models come through as strongly as black females?


Tere are a lot of great black male models but male fashion is generally overlooked in favour of females. However, David Agbodji and Corey Baptise are two of the top black male models at the moment.


What is the best part of your job?


Te reaction from readers when they learn who the models are and the realization that models of colour do obtain work, we just have to take the time to look for it in mainstream media.


Where do you see ‘Beauty Is Diverse’?


I would love to develop ‘Beauty Is Diverse’ into an online magazine. I’d like to show models of various ethnic backgrounds as well as designers and makeup artists so that future generations of young boys and girls can have people from the same ethnic back- ground as themselves to look up too.


What do you want users of your website to do?


I would like users to come to the site and discuss and share the work of ethnic models, so more people can learn about the great models from various countries making a name for themselves in the industry today.


Who are the models to watch out for?


Right now Joan Smalls is on fire (see picture on opposite page) she’s landed three major campaigns; Estee Lauder, Stella McCartney and Gucci. I’m also keeping an eye on Ajak Deng and new- comers Melodie Monrose and Liu Wen.


www.beautyisdiverse.com www.nexrastore.com | June/Aug 2011


Cherry Jumpsuit, sizes 8-14. £89.00 Sika Designs, London, SE10. www.sikadesigns.co.uk


Handmade in Ghana


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