London Fashion Week 2013 - Will this year's event embrace diversity??

London Fashion Week 2013  - will this be a colour blind affair?

London Fashion week 2013 commences 13-17 September 2013 and it's going to be spectacular. The famous shoe designer , Nicholas Kirkwood will be designing all the creative branding for the event. 15 retailers along Oxford Street will be supporting the event  by hosting blogging workshops and expert makeover sessions for store visitors, which  is a great way to bring this exclusive event to the masses. If thats not enough,  London Fashion Week has teamed up with Toni and Guy to launch their FIRST branded product line.

Creative branding for London FashionWeek

However, beneath all the glamour and glitz lies some sinister truths about the fashion industry. Although there are so many fantastic things taking place at this years event, the event alongside other major fashion events, is often critcised for the lack of diversity thats reflected in the people/models helping to make this event a success on/off the runway. 

Lack of diversity on the runway

Fashion Activist, Bethann Hardison, from the Diversity Coalition, sent letters on Thursday to respective governing bodies of fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris alleging runway racism.

The letter states that "eyes are on an industry that season after season watches design houses consistently use one or no models of colour." The British Fashion councils response was ,that they do not do the model castings, but they encourage the designers to embrace diversity.

As a black woman who blogs about fashion, I definitely think  racism exists within the fashion industry, its the 'elephant in the room." Everybody knows its there, but when it isn't acknowledged,  the issue continues to fester.

There has also been a number of racist controversial incidents in the past such as; highly publicised articles in the press about supermodels experiencing racism. As well as the famous fashion designer, John Galliano's racist outburst towards  Jews in 2011. These types of incidents helped to highlight the deep rooted problem within the industry and bring the debate to mainstream media.

Racism within the fashion industry is the elephant in the room 

London is the multicultural centre of Europe with over 7 million inhabitants speaking 300 different languages. It welcomes people of every major faith and is home to 40 Hindu temples, at least 25 Sikh temples, and about 150 mosques. So, shouldn't London Fashion Week reflect this diversity?

I'm curious to know; how many ethnic minority minorities will feature on/off the runway? How many models of ethnic minority will be invited to castings and judged on their ability rather than their colour? What's London Fashion Week doing to make this event more inclusive for everyday people who perceive London Fashion Week to be an elitist event?

One thing for sure is, there are some seriously influential people of colour within the fashion and beauty industry , who've helped to create some of the most iconic looks and trends. However, you don't always get to hear or see some of the fabulous work they are delivering. So, check out some of the most talented and influential ethnic minorities i've discovered within the  industry and the organisations that are working hard to help make this industry and London Fashion Week more inclusive to people regardless of colour, weight or disability. This list will continue to grow over time. If there is anyone i've missed off, please let me know by emailing; urbanbeautysaid@gmail.com.

Pat Mcgrath - international make-up artist 

We love you Pat

Described by Vogue in 2007 as the most "influential make-up artist in the world. "Born in Northampton, Pat Mcgrath's career spans over 20 years and she has worked with all the major fashion labels and some of the most iconic celebrities such as Madonna. She also happens to be the Creative Director for Proctor Gamble and is adored by both designers and models across the world.

Andre Talley - Contributing editor for Vogue 

He is the former American editor-at-large for Vogue magazine, listed as Contributing Editor in the April 2010 masthead. Talley has been a front-row regular at fashion shows in New York, Paris, London and Milan for more than 25 years. In a interview with Fashionista Andre opens up about racism with the industry and questions, with all his experience why he was never picked to be an editor of a magazine.

Claire Sulmers - Founder of international fashion blog, Fashion Bomb Daily. 

How amazing is this woman

Claire Sulmers is one of the key movers and shakers in the fashion bloggersphere and launched her blog in 2006. Fashion Bomb Daily is the web’s number one destination for multicultural fashion. Recognising there were few print and online sources for urban fashion,  the Fashion Bomb Daily blog site now receives 2 million monthly visitors.

The blog made Ebony Magazine’s 2011 Power 100 List, and Claire was named Black Blogger of the Month by Black Enterprise. Check out her  resume its off the hook!

Jourdan Dunn - Supermodel

Jourdan is a great role model

Discovered in 2006 , whilst shopping with her friends, British supermodel, Jourdan Dunn was the first black model picked in 10 years by fashion house, Prada  to walk their fall/winter 2008-2009 Prada show in Milan. Still early in a career, Jourdan as achieved so much and i think she is a fantastic role model for any ethnic minorities with aspirations to enter the world of modelling.

Malaika Firth - Supermodel

You go girl!

This young bi-racial model who is half Kenyan and British, was born in the Kenyan city of Mombasa and raised in the United Kingdom. She Is the first woman of colour in 19 years, to be a major face of the luxury fashion brand, Prada, in a Fall/Winter 2013 advertisement. Fellow supermodel Naomi Campbell was the last black woman to be featured in a Prada ad campaign in 1994.

Edward Enningful  - Fashion Stylist

Edward posing with Kate Moss

This world renowned fashion stylist from England has worked with everybody you can think of within the industry and styled numerous runway shows. At the age of 18, British stylist Edward Enninful was appointed fashion director of I-D magazine. This appointment made him the youngest ever innovative and creative fashion director to work on a international magazine.

In 2005 Edward Enningful became Contributing Fashion Editor of American Vogue, a position he also held at Italian Vogue since 1998. He was also a instrumental player in the iconic 2008 Vogue Italia's first all-black issue (which sold out within 72 hours).

Vogue Italia Magazine - front cover

In May 2011, he was appointed Fashion and Style Director at W Magazine, a position he currently holds and during his 2011 conversation with the Huffington Post he also comments on the lack of black people within the industry, but with the rise of globalisation and social media, the younger generation are closing this gap.

Angel Sinclair Founder of Models of Diversity

Her not for profit campaign promotes the use of models that reflects diversity in society, in terms of race, shape, age and ability.

This year, Models of Diversity put together a fashion show called Catwalk 4 Change. Catwalk4Change is a catwalk event that proves you don’t have to be waif-like to model an outfit. That looking healthy and in great shape should be a prerequisite for models. It is possible to model and look… normal? The event took place on September 6th featuring two fashion shows the first featuring 20 mature models, aged 35 and up. The second show will be the U.K. Top Bloggers. These fashionable Bloggers will be taking to the runway in their own fashion show, and all proceedings will go to cancer research and MIND a mental health charity.

Bethann Hardison

Veteran in the Fashion Industry

Former model, Bethann Hardison, now fashion activist has just launched her campaign targeting designers who do not use women of colour for their runway shows. The first stage of her campaign was a letter to The British Fashion Council, about the under representation of models of colour appearing on runways. I'm looking forward to seeing what else she will be getting up to.


The fashion industry veteran and former model has dedicated most of her career to shining a light on the issue and is relentless in her pursuit of change. Last month Hardison told The New York Times that one reason for the lack of diversity within fashion is accountability or, in her words, that “no one in power slaps these designers around."

Naomi Campbell

This lady helped to lay the foundation for the ethnic minority supermodels of today.

Born in London, Naomi Campbell is one of the worlds most famous models. This lady has achieved a hell of a lot of "first's" for women of colour in the fashion industry and has always championed for more women of colour to be used for catwalk shows.

In fact, with all of the recent bad press she has been received over the last few years, i forgot how much she's achieved. Some of her achievements include;

1. First black model on the front cover of British Vogue in 1987 and French Vogue in 1988.
2. First black woman to be featured in the Prada fashion show.
3. One of four models selected for the Vogue Italia's first "All Black" Issue in 2008 which sold out in 72 hours. 

Grace Jones 

Born in Jamaica, she is is one of the world’s most iconic supermodels, Grace Jones was muse to many and collaborated with some of art and fashion’s all time greats. Andy Warhol and Jean Paul Goude photographed her extensively in the Seventies and early Eighties. Keith Haring painted her for her music video “I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Perfect for You)”. 

 Grace Jones was a fashion trendsetter, considered one of the motivating forces behind the Eighties power suit movement.The woman is in her 60’s and still nobody does it better. Let’s look back to one of the images that made her an icon. The album cover for Island Life.

Grace's beauty challenged the preconceived perceptions of beauty and this is what makes her one the baddest chicks alive.

Designers you need to look out for at this years event;

Sarah Simpson and Jade Yankey - winners of the Junior FAD Awards

Jade Yankey  (Photo Source: Croydon Guardian )

Sarah Simpson (Photo Source: Croydon Guardian )

Two young black teenagers called Sarah Simpson and Jade Yankey from Croydon have won the FAD Junior Awards meaning they will have the opportunity to showcase their fashion designs at this years London Fashion Week. Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD) is a creative charity supporting young people aged between 13-25 years of age from disadvantaged backgrounds to get into the fashion industry. To date the charity has worked with more than 5000 young people, 85 secondary schools/sixth forms and 46 fashion colleges across the UK.

Chika Iwenofu - Fashion Designer launches "Punkafrique" collection

Chika Iwenofu is inspiring

This inspirational 19 year old from Norwood in South London, started her fashion label at the age of 16. She will be launching her new collection PunkAfrique on September 15 at the Fashions Finest London Fashion Week Show in Covent Garden. Miss Iwenofu’s new collection is a collaboration with a group of 16 to 24 year olds who are struggling to find employment in London.

The hope is young people involved in this collection will be able to gain a foothold in the fashion industry with London Fashion Week being seen as a valuable networking opportunity.

Chika is in her first year of university at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design and is truly inspiring.

Hope Wade - Fashion Designer

Cant wait to see her collection

Born in Kingston Jamaica, Hope Wade will be taking London by storm when she presents her eclectic mix of designs at the much-anticipated London Fashion Week, on September 13.

Marion Ayonote 

Marion Ayonote

Nigerian shoe designer, Marion Ayonote is regarded as one of the pioneers of fashion in Africa. She will debuting her shoe collection at this years London Fashion Week.

These Marion Ayonote heels will set you back £550

These are some badass heels!

Miche Dulce

Described as one of the most influential Filipina women within the fashion industry, Miche Dulce makes and hats and clothing from traditional filipino material. Find out more about the designer.

Dita Von Teese wears a Miche Dulce design

House of Oshae

British Fashion Designer, Jhaniel Smith, is the lady behind the upcoming fashion brand, House of Oshae which launched in 2011. The House of Osahe will be showcasing their 2014 Spring collection on 15th September during London Fashion Week, which i cant wait to see!

"Fashion is the way you feel, the way you want to dress." Hilary Alexander

In my opinion, fashion is a form of expression and it needs to be inclusive.  so no matter what your colour, weight or height is, everyone should have the freedom to express themselves through fashion.

The rise of the fashion blogger has helped to diversify the industry, by encouraging people from all walks of life to voice their thoughts on fashion. Take fashion bloggers Jak and Jiil as an example, who are now invited to sit front row at high profile fashion shows alongside the likes of Anna Wintour (Vogue Editor)- how incredible is this! I've also just read on the British Fashion Council website, there are 3000 bloggers who have registered to attend the September London Fashion week event so, as a result The British Fashion Council have launched a bloggers strategy.

What l personally love about the rise of the fashion blogger is, popularity of bloggers are based on what the mass market want to read or see and not dictated by what the fashion industry perceive people to want. For example, blogsites such as Fashion Bomb Daily, that identified a gap in the multicutural fashion market now receive over 2 million visitors each month from consumers wanting to emulate their favourite celebrity looks.

Although there is still along way to go, the amazing work been done to encourage diversity within the industry, means there is a great future ahead for the younger generations, so eventually the fashion industry will be colour blind.

urban beauty said...."we exist in a world of colourful beauty, so the fashion industry must embrace it."

I'd love to get your thoughts and opinions?