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Discrimination against black models has Naomi seething
Source: Agencies |
November 14, 2009, Saturday
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CARRYING a golden dagger on her first African catwalk, supermodel Naomi Campbell emerged from behind a shimmering veil to make a pointed attack on the developed world's discrimination against black models.
"Where do we see a woman of color in an advert? It's quite blatant," she said backstage at her "Fashion for Relief" charity show yesterday.
"There's definitely space (for more black models) but has there been enough effort? It was getting better but it's slipped back this year."
Held in the sultry Tanzanian coastal city of Dar es Salaam, the British supermodel brought together flamboyant outfits laced with beads, peacock feathers and big necklaces from local designers, as well as aspiring models from across the continent who are competing to be the new "Face of Africa."
Many of the women were star-struck meeting Campbell, who helped advise backstage on hairstyles, makeup and posed for photos.
"Women of color who have had a great experience in life need to share their experiences with others," she said.
"The world is not made up of blonde hair and blue eyes. We need to share ourselves."
Tholakele Dlamini, a 23-year-old "Face of Africa" contestant from Zimbabwe said: "It's like a dream come true to meet her. I think there need to be more black models to balance it out a bit - there's a lot of quality out there with potential."
Modelling was an unexpected career for Dlamini, whose parents were in the army and wanted her to become a soldier.
"I think most girls dream but they don't chase after their dream: I'm chasing," she said.
For Campbell, who regularly visits neighboring Kenya, the continent has great potential.
"Africa is a place of tragedy but I see beauty everywhere - there are all these beautiful African women of color," she said.
"You see these long necks of elegant women just walking in the streets."
Previous "Fashion for Relief" shows put on by Campbell in New York, London and Mumbai have raised as much as US$1 million for causes such as relief from floods, Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters.
Funds from the fashion event in Dar es Salaam, during which a dress Campbell wore from local designer Mustafa Hassanali was auctioned off to charity for US$10,000, will go to support maternal health.
Campbell is global ambassador for the White Ribbon Alliance, an international coalition for maternal health, which is this year holding its annual general meeting in Tanzania, where a woman dies in childbirth every hour.
"No woman should die giving birth," said Campbell.
"Where do we see a woman of color in an advert? It's quite blatant," she said backstage at her "Fashion for Relief" charity show yesterday.
"There's definitely space (for more black models) but has there been enough effort? It was getting better but it's slipped back this year."
Held in the sultry Tanzanian coastal city of Dar es Salaam, the British supermodel brought together flamboyant outfits laced with beads, peacock feathers and big necklaces from local designers, as well as aspiring models from across the continent who are competing to be the new "Face of Africa."
Many of the women were star-struck meeting Campbell, who helped advise backstage on hairstyles, makeup and posed for photos.
"Women of color who have had a great experience in life need to share their experiences with others," she said.
"The world is not made up of blonde hair and blue eyes. We need to share ourselves."
Tholakele Dlamini, a 23-year-old "Face of Africa" contestant from Zimbabwe said: "It's like a dream come true to meet her. I think there need to be more black models to balance it out a bit - there's a lot of quality out there with potential."
Modelling was an unexpected career for Dlamini, whose parents were in the army and wanted her to become a soldier.
"I think most girls dream but they don't chase after their dream: I'm chasing," she said.
For Campbell, who regularly visits neighboring Kenya, the continent has great potential.
"Africa is a place of tragedy but I see beauty everywhere - there are all these beautiful African women of color," she said.
"You see these long necks of elegant women just walking in the streets."
Previous "Fashion for Relief" shows put on by Campbell in New York, London and Mumbai have raised as much as US$1 million for causes such as relief from floods, Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters.
Funds from the fashion event in Dar es Salaam, during which a dress Campbell wore from local designer Mustafa Hassanali was auctioned off to charity for US$10,000, will go to support maternal health.
Campbell is global ambassador for the White Ribbon Alliance, an international coalition for maternal health, which is this year holding its annual general meeting in Tanzania, where a woman dies in childbirth every hour.
"No woman should die giving birth," said Campbell.
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