Lavish Rebellion [DOT COM]

Considering Prada and their younger brand Miu Miu’s very unfortunate history with not hiring a lot of models of color for their ad campaigns or runway shows, it looks like finally the tide is turning for some diversity for this Italian fashion house.

Actress Kerry Washington was been a regular wearer of the brand last year, and for a series of Miu Miu short film project, the house chose African-American female director Ava DuVernay to conduct it. For the 5th installment of Women’s Tales titled “The Door”, for DuVernay’s cut, the cast also starred an-all black women including Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Adepero Oduye, Emayatzy Corinealdi and Goapele.

Also, Malaika Firth became the first black model to garner an ad campaign after a 19 year absence for Prada since Naomi Campbell held the honor in 1994. Fellow black model Cindy Bruna is also in a current Prada ad now in magazines.

Nyong’o was chosen as a crop of four Young Hollywood actresses for the Spring/Summer ads, photographed by the high fashion duo Inez and Vindooh. Off the heels of the success of the film 12 Years A Slave, Nyong’o is playing a supporting role as one of fashion’s favorite mavens right now.