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Liberian model, Deddeh Howard just did something incredibly powerful to show us the utter lack of diversity in fashion ads.
Opting to recreate popular fashion ads, replacing the white model with herself in the images, she shows that black models and other models of colour, are still left on the sidelines when it comes to representation in the world of fashion.
Read: Controversial pic of Bella and Gigi causes outrage post Victoria's Secret show
On her website she posted that people in the industry always compare her to the one or two other black models already on agency rosters, instead of seeing her as an individual. She says black models still feel invisible.
"... at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show you could see the same pattern you can see at New York fashion week or any other famous fashion events: black girls are almost invisible. There is the odd one here and there, but it always feels like an afterthought. We live in a globalized world with nowadays many interracial couples producing mixed babies. Why can’t the big brands not embrace our diversity more and give all of us visibility?"
And this happens on ramps at every fashion week. Last year more than 10 renowned fashion designers failed to include any models of colour in their shows held at New York, Paris, Milan and London Fashion Week.
Read: These fashion houses only use white models
"With this Black Mirror project I hope to show the world that it is time for all of us being seen. Just like a Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss or Candice Swanepoel gets to travel the world, shoot the most amazing campaigns and live an exciting life to inspire young girls, let’s give the next generation something to believe in."
All images: Raffael Dickreuter and secretofdd.com.
Read more:
Outrage over all-white brigade of models walking to “Formation”
