Nykhor Paul let the fashion kids have it when she posted on her Instagram yesterday, a scolding post about how makeup artists, whom a majority are White, continue to disregard Black models and come ill-prepared to shows with little to zilch shades of Brown. However, they are fully stocked and ready to groom and prettify most of the other models, whom a majority of are (also) White or Caucasian.
As Paris couture Fashion Week is currently happening, the Sudanese beauty’s IG as a sudden forum for blasting the fashion industry’s terrible reputation for racism comes at an important time. She has previously modeled for Balenciaga and Rick Owens.
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As written in her post, Paul touched on a number of factors to racial discrimination in the fashion industry has been normalized and how she as a Black woman is expected to accept it. In a language that was unfiltered (“ratchet”) and clear, Paul like many of us have had enough of designers, and the arts world in general, regularly taking cues or being “inspired” by ethnic or international cultures but can’t seem to bring that same camaraderie to casting models of color or the kits of makeup artists (MUAs.) Models are casted in advance to shows or campaigns happening. An MUA should be fully aware of who will be strutting and smizing.
And the part where she listed all the cosmetics labels that do carry brown and dark brown shades was pure sass at its best for a model. You can go to any Bobbi Brown counter at Bloomingdales, Lancome at Sephora, a M.A.C. flagship and even Iman and Black Opal at the drugstore and find an array of Black makeup shades. Makeup artists–do better! I will say that darker skin tones tend to be have naturally beautiful skin that amazingly glow from the inside out,. It appears that people with these Black diamond tones don’t even need makeup! But c’mon. Why does Paul have to bring her tube of CoverFX but Karlie Kloss doesn’t have to? Even Black and brown actresses can attest to having to bring their own makeup to sets, worried that the makeup provided won’t match them at all.
It was brave of Paul to speak out against the prejudice in her industry. Having to do has become too common for Black models to do. But she was right in writing that she longer wanted to fake “apologize” for her “blackness” and she is so right.
FULL STATEMENT:
Dear white people in the fashion world! Please don’t take this the wrong way but it’s time you people get your shit right when it comes to our complexion! Why do I have to bring my own makeup to a professional show when all the other white girls don’t have to do anything but show up wtf! Don’t try to make me feel bad because I am blue black its 2015 go to Mac, Bobbi Brown, Makeup forever, Iman cosmetic, black opal, even Lancôme and Clinique carried them plus so much more. there’s so much options our there for dark skin tones today. A good makeup artist would come prepare and do there research before coming to work because often time you know what to expect especially at a show! Stop apologizing it’s insulting and disrespectful to me and my race it doesn’t help, seriously! Make an effort at least! That goes for NYC, London, Milan, Paris and Cape Town plus everywhere else that have issues with black skin tones.
Just because you only book a few of us doesn’t mean you have the right to make us look ratchet. I’m tired of complaining about not getting book as a black model and I’m definitely super tired of apologizing for my blackness!!!! Fashion is art, art is never racist it should be inclusive of all not only white people, shit we started fashion in Africa and you modernize and copy it! Why can’t we be part of fashion fully and equally?