Fashion isn’t just a chic Prada dress. Its a lifestyle, an art, a statement, the way we live. If fashion was merely just clothes, it wouldn't be the multi-billion dollar industry that it is today. What individual doesn’t relish and appreciate fashion? Whether your personal style of clothing is bohemian, urban, or haute couture, fashion is an outlet for self expression, being unique, and being distinctive.
It’s apparent that as the population increases, the western world is becoming more and more diverse. People are migrating from all parts of the world. As a society we all seem to be living in harmony. However, when it comes to fashion, especially high fashion, it seems as things are a bit more rigid. It’s 2012, but there is a lack of minorities being represented in high fashion, whether it be runway, or print.
For New York fashion week 2010 only 16 percent of ethnic models were included on the runway. A show that had about 4,095 vacancies for models, only 662 spaces were allotted to minorities. In fashion magazines, runway, and commercials, all that is seen are thin Caucasian models dominating the fashion industry. It seems using minority models is seen more as a trend rather than a canvas. In high fashion there always seem to be token models from each race/ethnicity, such as Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bundchen, and Chanel Iman (who is only half-asian). These minority models are the very few that make it, and dominate the fashion industry, nonetheless these faces are not enough. A minority model will have to work 100 times harder, to be a model/supermodel than her Caucasian counterpart. The minority model, and her counterpart could have the exact same things going for them height, weight, "look" but because of skin color, the minority model is overlooked. We all participate in the consumption of luxury goods, and believe it or not minorities hold a lot of buying power. This buying power is only increasing as the population continues to increase. The high fashion market is a huge, expanding market so why only cater to only one type. Is one race more superior or important than the other? I don't think so.
Modelling is not the only issue when it comes to fashion, there is an immense lack of high fashion minority designers. The only way for a minority fashion designer to become apart of this elite world, is if they participate in the “look” that modern day fashion designers are depicting, or representing. Even then it is really difficult. You’re definitely not going to see urban wear by and urban designer in Paris fashion week. I understand that there are different looks for different demographics. Nonetheless more minorities need to be shown in high fashion for issues such as inferiority, lack of self-esteem, and implications that there is only one standard of beauty. Young girls of any race/ethnicity need to see more people that look like them, and not think there is only one standard of beauty. FASHION IS MORE THAN JUST SKIN COLOR.
Here is a URL link to an article about the lack of minorities on the runway
http://jezebel.com/5476920/fewer-models-of-color-work-new-yorks-fashion-runways
This video is a short documentary, on a minority (black) model, trying to become a top fashion model in New York city. She lets us into her world to get a glimpse of her struggles, in dealing with racism in the fashion industry. "The Color of Beauty"
Part 1
EXPENSIVE TASTE: BLOG 2
HERMES FAIRYTALE 2010 AD CAMPAIGN
This Ad campaign is from the Hermes 2010 Fairytale Spring/Summer collection. I've posted a couple pictures from the campaign that show shoes, bags, and scarves. Hermes is a ridiculously expensive luxury brand that only the wealthy can afford. It's a French high fashion powerhouse that specializes in leather, but also provides other lifestyle and on the go accessories. These items relate to the theme of consumers that show off there wealth by elevating their status through conspicuous consumption. To be honest, the only individuals I have ever seen sporting this luxury brand is the rich and famous. IT'S FASHIONS BIGGEST STATUS SYMBOL. How much would you pay for the perfect handbag? Hermes Birkin Bags range from $5,300-$50,000 (YES 50,000 DOLLARS), shoes range from $600-$3000, and scarves can cost up to $1000. These bags are high in demand, but low on supply, there are waiting lists for Birkin bags from 8 months for the most basic bag, to 6 years made of the most exotic leather. The cost of these accessories could do a lot for the average consumer, like a very large down payment on a mortgage, or even buy a brand new luxury car, but some individuals are so wealthy that they can afford to distinguish, and differentiate themselves from the average consumer, in a substantial way. Hermes is a recognizable brand that will definitely discern your appearance if you have the money, who has $50,000 just for a bag? 
This relates to thinker Jean Baudrillard that we discussed in class. He states that in advertisement they bombard us with the idea to be different, the need to differentiate ourselves is played out in a system of cultural meanings that are produced through commodities. In essence all purchases we make signify something socially. Our consumption allows us to communicate ideas about who we are (status, taste, preferences). Need is then created by the selling of objects and their meaning and value. Therefore sign value becomes more than use value (Birkin vs Regular bag). Those who are affluent want to display their wealth, and make a very clear distinction, so in this the person who has wealth will not carry a bag from forever 21, or H & M, or Aldo, they are going to segregate themselves with the Birkins. So the force to make a distinction has created a need in the wealthy to obtain this luxury brand.
I think the ads done by Hermes are beautiful, to me the ads say when your rich enough to afford Hermes you can afford a bit of a fantasy fairytale, it's surreal. This form of consumption to distinguish oneself in terms of class I think is fine. It only becomes a problem when 1. you can't afford it, and are using every last dollar you have on these items, or 2. Using the items as a way to feel superior, and turn your nose up at people who can not afford it. If you have the money to acquire these goods, and this is how you wish to live, and differentiate yourself then so be it. A consumer like me could only dream of this, like Hermes has proposed in these fairytale ads, as i will continue to do.
By Carrin Adoma
This is an interesting topic that you have brought up; people of lighter skin tones are automatically seen attractive therefore are more likely to have the opportunity to become successful. A lot of times people with dark skin tones have to try harder to become successful, this can be done if their skin is lightened and/or as the guy in the video said have “White girl features”. Which is offensive and incorrect because not even “White” females can look “White”, also no one can look as if they belong to a certain race, for example I originate from India but I am mistaken for being Middle Eastern. There is a lot of discrimination against those of darker skin tones in the fashion industry just because they have dark skin. This is discriminatory because dark skinned females are told indirectly that they are not beautiful and that they must look a certain way, the way that is acceptable and popular, despite it begin the 21st century, light skin toned individuals are still dominate. What do you think the fashion industry would be like if dark skinned people were seen as beautiful and dominated over the light skinned individuals?
ReplyDelete-Amandeep G.
That is a very good question you raise. Im quite sure then that those who have lighter skin tones would feel discriminated against, and would therefore complain. The high fashion industry only sells one standard of beauty, which is unfair to those of darker skin tones. Your right about them It's very uncanny because in fashion aren't you suppose to be selling clothes, and not skin color? The dark skin people that are in the fashion industry either have "white girl features", are of lighter skin, or seen more as a trend (alek wek for example). I totally agree that sometimes not even the white woman can attain the white standard of beauty, and thats ironic.
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