![]() In the land of the free, you would assume there would be a progressive mindset, however, Iman remembers, “The French designers used more Black models. “It was Beverly Johnson and I who started talking, and then, of course, I met one of my best friends, Bethann Hardison, who took me under her wing and helped me navigate this industry,” Iman shares. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)įor the Somalian supermodel, finding her tribe amongst other Black models felt more natural rather than giving in to systematic competition. Iman during Iman’s Press Party – Octoat Home of Peter Beard in New York City, New York, United States. Coming from Africa, I couldn’t understand that mentality.” “They somehow created this idea of tokenism and instilled in you that you have to dethrone another Black model to take that space. “When I arrived in New York in 1975, there was an unspoken rule, which was to use one Black model at a time,” Iman tells ESSENCE. In Supreme Models, the documentary series executively produced by supermodel Iman Abdulmajid and author Marcellas Reynolds, new and seasoned Black models explore the tales of the women who we recognize as trailblazers of change.īefore the days of casting directors favoring dark-skinned models with long legs and witnessing Edward Enniful place nine African models on the cover of British Vogue, there was a time when only one Black model could be in the spotlight. However, don’t get it twisted, they’ve always existed -they just haven’t always been welcomed to a seat at the table.Īlthough the racial awakening of 2020 enforced the industry at large to address its lack of diversity and inclusion, there were decades of work prior that initiated and promoted gradual change. Over the last few years, we’ve witnessed the industry’s doors creep open, which has brought more Black designers, Black stylists, Black photographers, trans, non-binary, and curvy models to the forefront. ![]() In the close-knit industry of fashion, one’s success is not usually based on capability, it’s more so dependent on accessibility. ![]()
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