Black Models Back on the Runway : Publicity Stunt or New Trend ?

Some people are saying it's the new "in" publicity stunt for designers to snap up Black models in light of the success and press of the all-Black Italian Vogue. I suppose time will tell if this is a ploy for publicity or a new trend. In the meantime...let the Black girls shine !

The following article is from the New York Observer : (blue type denotes quoted material)

Carlos Campos, the men's wear designer known for his perfectly tailored suits, has announced that he will show his first women's wear collection on September 7 at the Altman building in Chelsea. But Mr. Campos, who was born in Honduras, doesn't plan to do it quietly: he will use only black models in his runway show.

According to a release, the designer's inspiration was supermodel Iman and the collection is described as "Jet set rockstar—think David Bowie and Iman on holiday in the South of France." You might recall that the July issue of Italian Vogue committed to featuring only black models shot by photographer Steven Meisel. And for Heatherette's Spring '08 collection, the designers Richie Rich and Trevor Rains began the runway show by sending out black models in frilly white frocks before bringing out white models in brightly colored garments.

While the Heatherette show didn't get quite as much notice as the "black" issue of Italian Vogue, throwing an African-American girl in front of cameras has suddenly become the perfect way to get the media's attention. We're all for seeing more diversity in fashion, but should we interpret Mr. Campos's show as having diversity for the sake of diversity, or just a publicity stunt?

Source

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All Black Italian Vogue Issue Selling Like Hotcakes !!!

Haven't been able to find a copy of the historic all-Black Italian Vogue ? Never fear, more are on the way:

Who says black female models don’t sell magazines?

Italian Vogue has taken the fashion and publishing world by storm by featuring all black models in its July issue. Historically, the conventional wisdom among "those who know" about circulation and newsstands in consumer publishing issues is that putting a black model or celebrity on the cover of a fashion magazine means that it “just won’t sell” well.

But after a couple of New York newsstand sell-outs, reports of frenzied, cross-town searches for $16 to $20 copies and the accompanying hype, Condé Nast has decided to reprint the issue — 10,000 copies emblazoned with the tagline “Most Wanted Issue Ever” and “First Reprint” banded across the front.  Source

Hhhm...some reports are saying an extra 10,000 copies and others are saying an extra 100,000 copies have been ordered...we shall see.  Yes, Black Girls representing and flexing those economic muscles !  We are willing to pay an average of 4 times the U.S. cost of Vogue to see our beauty displayed; American advertisers TAKE NOTE.

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