Capture from Anavae's recent music video. Dancer: myself
London Fashion Week is coming soon and there is a frenzy in the air. Catwalk4Change, a fashion show which aims at challenging received notions of who can be a fashion model, will take place on Friday 6th and promises to be a very exciting event.
Flash Fashion Portobello is taking place on 7th daytime, I will be modelling for it. It is another event aimed at challenging model size stereotypes.
Various articles have appeared once again in the press calling for greater diversity of bodies in fashion. I think it is very important to understand that the issue is not so much diversity in advertising or in catalogues, to some extent we are already seeing it. It is diversity on the catwalk that matters, that is where the very slim, very tall, very white, very young models dominate. They epitomise the edgy look, which is then picked up in editorial spreads.
It is on the catwalk that we see uniformity rather than diversity and somehow this is brushed aside by saying that 'traditionally' designer sample clothing comes in small sizes, so what can model bookers do? They have to provide models that fit into those tiny sizes. And so the vicious circle is perpetuated. Racism is also constantly covered up, by saying that of course no one is racist, it's just that models of colour do not have, you know, the 'look' (with some notable exceptions).
What is that 'look'? When you try to pin it down it is, well, what a surprise, a caucasian look.
Can things change? Yes of course they can.
All Walks i-D pop up
First we need to educate young designers on the need for bigger sample sizes. This is why the Diversity Now! competition was so important, change begins with the students of today, designers of tomorrow. Another thing that is sorely needed is work among young models, to make them aware of their rights, Teenage models are children who need to continue with their schooling. The right to be tutored when they miss school should be built in their contracts. Teenage models should not be pressurised to lose weight, it damages their physical and psychological health. Equity, the performers union, is currently trying to build a models network and is calling for all models to join the union and bring up for discussion the issues that affect them.
As an Equity member I shall be monitoring this and report on developments.
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