Racism remains a deeply entrenched issue in many industries, and fashion is no exception! Despite efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity, black models continue to face mistreatment and discrimination within the fashion industry! Melbourne Fashion Week (MFW) recently came under scrutiny as more than a dozen black models boycotted the event, shedding light on the systemic racism they experience in Australia’s fashion scene
Models Jeffrey Kissubi, Nyaluak Leth and Awar Malek have spoken to the BBC about race in fashion alongside their recent experience in Melbourne and why they won’t be taken part in MFW.
The Melbourne Fashion Week Boycott
A dozen or so models are participating in the boycott and have shared their distressing experiences of racial slurs, derogatory comments about their hair, and unequal pay compared to their white counterparts.
Jeffrey Kissubi, a 29-year-old model, emphasized that the boycott aimed to draw attention not only to MFW but also to the broader issues plaguing Australia. By taking a stand against mistreatment, Kissubi and the other models hope to improve working conditions for others experiencing discriminatory practices.
“In Australia people live in a bubble and they’re not exposed to those things, so they’ll use that as an excuse Why do black, Indigenous and people of colour in Australia still have to deal with these things?”
– Jeffrey Kissubi
The Realities of Racism in Fashion
Nyaluak Leth, a South Sudanese model raised in Brisbane, expresses her disappointment with the false sense of representation within an industry that claims to celebrate individuality and cultural acceptance! She recounted an incident during Sydney Fashion Week when a black model approached her for help with her hair, highlighting the lack of expertise and support for diverse hair types backstage.
“Nothing worse than having a false sense of representation at the forefront of an industry that prides itself on individuality and cultural acceptance”
– Nyaluak Leth
Another model, Awar Malek, described her experience as a black woman working in the Australian fashion industry as “a form of self-destruction.” She compared the situation to fashion capitals like London, New York, and Paris, where such treatment would not be tolerated. Malek questioned why the Australian fashion industry seemed indifferent to the mistreatment of black models and resisted change.
“In London, New York and Paris, you could not get away with what the fashion industry is doing here and how it treats black models, but they don’t seem to care or want to change.”
– Awar Malek
Awar reflects on her experience at Melbourne Fashion Week:
“It is absolutely the most traumatising, and dehumanising, underpaying, and overall, mentally draining week and I have no desire to continue to participate”
– Awar Malek
Melbourne’s Response to Melbourne Fashion Week
The organizer of MFW, claims to prioritize inclusivity and diversity, the models’ testimonies reveal a stark contrast of this image. A City of Melbourne spokesperson stated that they were unaware of any concerns related to diversity or race involving Melbourne Fashion Week and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination.
The models’ stories suggest a need for a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at play. It is evident that any efforts made have been insufficient to combat the deeply rooted problem of racism in fashion and in Australia.
Power in the Numbers
“I felt like in the past when one of us has come forward to talk about our experience, it’s always been dismissed. But when a group of us comes forward, it has more impact.”
– Nyaluak Leth
To address the persistent issue of racism in the fashion industry, there must be a collective commitment and greater representation of people of colour in decision-making roles.
Jeffrey Kissubi highlighted the importance of cultural awareness, emphasizing that more exposure to diverse perspectives would lead to a more inclusive industry. He urged the Australian fashion community to question why people of colour still experience discrimination in a supposedly progressive country.
Nyaluak Leth echoed this sentiment, calling for the industry to turn the lens on itself and take accountability for its actions!
Moving Towards a More Inclusive Future
“I’ve worked in Europe and honestly people are more culturally aware, it’s more densely populated so people are exposed to a lot more things.”
While the boycott of Melbourne Fashion Week has sparked important conversations, the models remain cautiously optimistic about the potential for real change.
To create a truly inclusive and diverse fashion industry, it is essential for all professions to work together. This includes designers, event organizers, agencies, and those behind the scenes, such as hairdressers and makeup artists. By fostering a culture of acceptance, education, and representation, the industry can break free from the shadows of racism and create a more inclusive future for all fashion enthusiasts.
The fashion industry has a significant influence on shaping societal norms and perceptions of beauty. By addressing the issue of racism within the industry, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society.