Diversity in Modelling Makes Slow Progress
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Following the beginning of another fashion season, The Fashion Spot has released its latest report on diversity in the fashion industry. The report concluded that the modelling industry was progressing at a very slow pace and still has a long way to go in terms of diversity amongst models being cast in ads and runway shows.
The seasonal report by The Fashion Spot looked at the spring campaigns of 2016 and took into account 236 different campaigns which contained a total of 422 different models. However, statistics encompassing these campaigns showed that less than a quarter of these models – 21.8% to be exact – were models of colour. Despite these shocking statistics, this does show a slight improvement of 6.5% when compared to the fall campaigns of 2015.
The report also began to name and shame those fashion brands that were the most ‘whitewashed’ this season, featuring a minimum of three female models, all of whom were white. The whitewashed labels included Versace, Miu Miu, Saint Laurent, and surprisingly, even popular high street label Forever 21.
However, it’s not just statistics concerning racial diversity within the modelling industry that are shocking, as figures surrounding other under-represented groups such as older women, plus-sizes and transgender models have actually dropped since last year. Shockingly, only a mere 1.4% of the 422 models featured in this spring’s fashion campaigns were plus-size, and an even more shocking zero transgender models were cast. Managing editor of The Fashion Spot, Jennifer Davidson, commented: “Progress is being made when it comes to racial diversity. However, we were disappointed to find that plus-size models, women over age 50 and transgender models had far fewer appearances than Fall 2015. A confusing setback given the amount of media attention these demographics received this year.”It appears that progress is indeed slow when it comes to diversity in this highly competitive industry and there is still a long way yet to go.