Model Accuses Runway Makeup Artists of Racism
Photo: @nykhor/Instagram
The issue of the lack of diversity on the catwalk has been highly documented — but less so is the racism and ignorance that goes on backstage.
Now, one model is speaking up.
Nykhor Paul, a South Sudanese model who’s walked in shows for labels like Calvin Klein, Balenciaga, and Diane von Furstenberg, took to Instagram Monday to vent her frustration over runway makeup artists who don’t come prepared with products that suit darker skin tones. As a result, Paul says that she’s routinely forced to supply her own beauty products, while lighter-skinned models “don’t have to do anything but show up.”
“Just because you only book a few of us doesn’t mean you have the right to make us look ratchet,” wrote Paul. “I’m tired of complaining about not getting book[ed] as a black model and I’m definitely super tired of apologizing for my blackness!!!!”
Paul isn’t the only model of color who’s recently called out the fashion industry for its lack of beauty product diversity. In 2014, British model Jourdan Dunn told Vogue UK, “It would be great if make-up artists were better educated in how to do make-up on darker skin. […] People just don’t understand, often they’ll offer darker shades but they don’t understand the different tones in dark skin - they will be too ashy, or too orange. Backstage at the shows I often just have to slap on whatever they’ve got, but it isn’t quite right.”
As unfortunate as it is that these women are having to speak out about something that seems so painfully obvious, it’s great that they’ve actually got platforms to do so. Here’s hoping the makeup artists are actually paying attention — and are thoughtful enough to make a change.
Read Paul’s plea in its entirety, below.
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 Lanc?me 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?
More from Yahoo Style:
Art or Racism? Designer Sends Models in Black Face Paint Down the Runway
Sadly Not Shocking: Fashion Still Bad At Diversity
Liya Kebede Is the First Black Model to Cover “Vogue Paris” in Five Years