South Sudanese model, Nykhor Paul recently wrote an open letter on Instagram slamming the fashion industry for lack of knowledge and skill on the part of white makeup artists, asking them to be more prepared for backstage shows and respectful to black models.
Here is the caption of her heavily debated post:
“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 are so many options out there for dark skin tones today. A good makeup artist would come prepared and do their research before coming to work because oftentimes 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 booked 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?”
Hey there! I’m Adiat Sade Disu and founded an award-winning 15-year-old digital media and marketing agency Adirée where I provide Multi media and marketing solutions for Executives and startup founders looking to increase engagement with multi-cultural audiences organically and natively.
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