Women of color: Ava Benedict on the ethnic runway

Since its conception, advertising has primarily been dominated by Caucasian models. This manifested visibly when clothing evolved into a luxury post-war. Style enthusiasts, like Ava Benedict, rightly point out that the trend is not exclusive to the fashion industry. If anything, fashion is at the forefront of ethnic representation.

Ava Benedict | Image credit: harmonymedia.wordpress.com

Iman Abdulmajid is native to Somalia and widely accepted as the first African American model in history. Upon discovery in 1975, she appeared in a spread of American Vogue before shocking global readership as the cover of the March ’76 Italian Vogue. The fashion bible later went on to publish an “All Black Issue” in 2008. Contrary to critic predictions, it was the highest-selling issue in the history of Italian Vogue– compelling Condé Nast to commission reprints of a magazine for the first time. After nearly 15 years of runway and movie appearances, Iman launched an eponymous line of cosmetics catering to women of color. Fashion guru Ava Benedict has praised Iman for her dedication to the inclusion of women whose skin tones were not traditionally served by existing makeup brands.

Ava Benedict | Image credit: sheahey.blogspot.com

In the decades that followed, other women of color catwalked through racial barriers in multiple industries. UK native Naomi Campbell became the first black model on the covers of French and British Vogue. She dominated the ‘90s runway and was declared one of the first “super” models in history. African American Tyra Banks was one of the original Victoria Secret Angels, a coveted runway title for lingerie models. She is one of only four African Americans who have ranked repeatedly among Time magazine’s “most influential people.”

Ava Benedict | Image credit: rivalme.net

Ultimately, modeling strives to embody the epitome of its audience. If ethnic buyers cannot connect with a product because it does not represent them, that goal is unfulfilled.  

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