Canada Journal – News of the World Articles and videos to bring you the biggest Canadian news stories from across the country every day
Naomi Campbell has criticised the fashion industry, saying that racism still exists in the modelling world.
The supermodel said that it is “appalling” that the industry is still reluctant to book “models of colour”.
She told Sky News at London Fashion Week: “It’s disappointing that they still think before booking models of colour.
“It’s appalling. It shouldn’t be that way in this day and age.”
Campbell has used the annual event to highlight racial discrimination in the fashion industry in previous years.
Speaking at London Fashion Week, actress and Burberry model Sienna Miller said: “I think there should be equality in all walks of life. I know some amazing black and Asian models that I’ve worked with on my label when I had it. I support her, absolutely.”
Chris Bailey, chief creative officer of Burberry, told Sky News: “We work with lots of beautiful black girls and black guys. I think she has a very good point that people need to be reminded of sometimes.”
It is not the first time the 43-year-old model has used the platform of London Fashion Week to raise the issue of racial discrimination.
At the beginning of the month, she teamed up with businesswoman and supermodel Iman to launch the Diversity Coalition.
Their objective is to highlight the “racist act” of having one, or no, models from different ethnic backgrounds in a catwalk show.
Last season, 82.7% of models were white at New York Fashion Week, with only 9.1% Asian, 6% black and 2% Latina.
Thirteen shows had no model of non-white ethnic background at all.
London Fashion Week, which features 58 catwalk shows over five days, is expected to attract more than £100m in orders, according to the British Fashion Council.
The fashion industry contributes £21bn annually to the British economy.
Agencies
