Racism 'rife in fashion industry'

Published on Saturday 16 February 2008 18:58

THE world of fashion is at the centre of another furore following claims that discrimination against black models is rife among magazine editors and fashion-show casting directors.

Speaking as London Fashion Week draws to a close, Carol White, co-founder of modelling agency Premier Model Management, claimed that black models are too frequently over-looked when it comes to catwalk and photo-shoot casting.

She said: "According to the magazines, black models don't sell. Black models have to be so beautiful and perfect. It's harder for the agency because there's not so much on offer."

She claimed that casting departments at major fashion magazines often display explicit racism: "We have had casting briefs that say 'No ethnics'."

Last week, the supermodel Naomi Campbell spoke of the racial discrimination that exists in the world of fashion.

Her own progress in the fashion industry had often been blocked because of the colour of her skin. She added: "The only reason I got the cover of French Vogue was because Yves Saint-Laurent called up and told them he'd pull his ads if they didn't."

Last year, the famously outspoken fashion designer Vivienne Westwood called for minimum quotas to be put in place to ensure that black models are not discriminated against.