I was reading a copy of Vogue with Naomi Campbell, modeling’s model minority, lamenting about the dearth of black models in the industry. This an argument that’s old as time, so let me cut to the chase: Naomi, you just might have company.
Perhaps it won’t be next month, or the month after that, but I have good vibes about plus size modeling, and even doubly good vibes when it comes to the black women in modeling topic. As a black woman myself, it does strike me as odd to not see more models of color on the runways.
Is it going to be boiled down to a matter of buying power? I certainly hope not. This article, dated 2 years ago, gives some great information on what’s generally considered a “duh” concept: minoirty buying power is on the rise?
Marketers aren’t in the business for their health - they’re out to make money. Buying power plays into spending the way spending plays into modeling because it’s about enticement. We want to get people to purchase products, to spend money, but most importantly, to visualize themselves wearing, eating, drinking whatever we’re marketing at the moment.
The rise in buying power for minorities should trigger more exposure, in the sense that marketers should be using minorities in advertising. What better way to entice people to purchase items when the person in the ad looks similar to the buyer?
We’re hopeful, vocal, and excited about plus size modeling because the models look like we do. They have curves, perhaps broad shoulders, and love handles (I know I have ‘em, so I gotta make sure my ‘handles still look great rocking the latest sweater sets). We’re taking it to the economic level as well: we’re pointing out where we shop, how much we spend. The war hasn’t been won yet, but we’re still writing, talking about it, and sharing what we want for plus size modeling, and plus size fashion in general.
I want to see curves. Hips. Legs. Smiles. If they happen to be women of color, that would be a great step, but I need to see women that at least have the same structure I do. I can fully understand multiple angles of this argument - I’m a marketer myself.
I’m hopeful for plus size fashion because I think we can get a diverse runway while still celebrating the hips, curves, and all the other components that make us beautiful from head to toe.
On women of color & modeling (some links may be dated, but I think all are worth looking at:)
The Ugly Side of the Modeling Business
On Absence of Our Models - Use of African-American Models in Fashion
The New Face of the Supermodel
Links about buying power:
Minorities spending more on eating out, entertainment, research shows
Multicultural economy - America’s minority buying power - PDF
Minority buying power expected to rise
Hispanic movement from California, impact on other cities
Disney reaches out to Hispanic market with ‘Cheetah Girls’
A text file of 2004 statistics on buying power in American, divided on racial lines
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December 11th, 2007 at 12:25 am
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February 27th, 2008 at 11:34 am
i think the number of the black plus size models has increased over the years. i think they are even more popular than white plus size models