There are a lot of presumptions and stereotypes about those in the fashion industry. People tend to think that the fashion world judges you on what you eat, what you wear, what you do, how you act, etc. But the one thing fashion seems to embrace is race.
In a recent Vogue podcast interview between Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, and Andre Leon Talley, Wintour’s close friend, Wintour discussed her decision in making Beyoncé the cover girl of this year’s September issue, the biggest issue of the year . She explained that Condé Nast executives questioned her choice in putting a black woman on the cover. She also mentioned how she made Naomi Campbell the cover girl of the first magazine she worked on as Editor-in-chief back in the ‘80s and how she believes much of society has begun to change since then. To Wintour, it isn’t about the color of Beyoncé or Campbell’s skin, but how they signify strength and power among women of all ages. This transcends to Vogue’s issue next month with Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o on the cover.
With all the chatter and buzz about police enforcement being discriminative against blacks, and unfair treatment of Hispanics and Asians in this day and age, all of that doesn’t seem to matter in the fashion world. There are a number of diverse designers and models that are well respected in the industry, which makes me question why we can’t do that for each other on a day-to-day basis. Even when it comes to one’s sexual preferences, whether you’re straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual – whatever it is you may be — if you bring all you have to the runway, it doesn’t matter how you identify. And that’s one of the many things I love about fashion. You’re accepted for who you are and what you bring to the table. From strutting your best walk, rocking the best pout in front of photographers, having the best eye for styling or creating the most unique designs, the fashion industry loves all.
It’s not about what you are, where you came from, or whom you know. It’s about what you can give and how you give it. If the fashion world can accept that, then so should the rest of the world.