Fashion Week Protest: Tribute March for Black Fashion Directors Inspired by Michaela Angela Davis

Michaela Angela Davis posted these photos on her Facebook page tonight:





The images show young women dressed in Fashion black holding signs which list Essence Magazine's proud history of black Fashion Directors: Susan Taylor, Agnes B. Cammock, Sandra Martin, Pamela Macklin, Ionia Dunn Lee, many whom I've had the pleasure of working with. The signs read..."I Am..." signifying the fact that the next great black Fashion Director is out there, and according to many, being ignored by the masses.

The silent walk from Time Warner to Lincoln Center has been seen as an homage to black Fashion Directors and a brave display of criticism for the lack of black women in director positions at the top magazines. Michaela even captioned one of the images "Fashion Activism: Cool & Compassionate." She called it "a tribute, a message."






The images followed a Facebook post, in which Michaela wrote:

This is Fashion Week. For the 1rst time in its 40yr history Essence magazine doesn't have a black Fashion Director. There're several un or under employed completely or over qualified black candidates. There're no blacks holding the top spot at any top magazine. Who would imagine in the era of Michelle O when it comes ...to diversity, Fashion Week would get even weaker?







While many may condemn these women for their efforts, it's important to acknowledge the lack of diversity in fashion. African-American magazines, besides Arise, Essence Magazine and Ebony Magazine, are all but ignored. Recently, Proenza Schouler released an inflammatory, controversial video lampooning black women via The Fashion Bomb. About the video, a critic tweeted "They can't offend black customers. They don't have any." Gasp.

Only time will tell if more black models will gain a presence on the Spring 2011 Fashion Week runways. Racism in the fashion industry is not imagined; it's real.

But is this tribute march the right way to address, and combat, it? Discuss. What's your opinion on the Fashion Director Protest?

Coutura

Post Title

→

Fashion Week Protest: Tribute March for Black Fashion Directors Inspired by Michaela Angela Davis

Post URL

→

http://womencelebrity-gj.blogspot.com/2010/09/fashion-week-protest-tribute-march-for.html

Visit women celebrity for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Speaks on White Fashion Director Controversy

As we reported on Monday, ESSENCE Magazine has been under fire as of late for hiring a white Fashion Director, Ellianna Placas. Powerful media figures like Michaela Angela Davis, former Fashion Editor at ESSENCE Magazine, and Nawja Moses, media personality, have both spoken out about the issue. The one voice we hadn't heard from? ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray.


After reaching out to the ESSENCE PR department and not receiving a response, we stumbled across a quote Burt-Murray shared with Media Ink:


"I understand that this issue has struck an emotional chord with our audience. However, I selected [Placas], who has been contributing to the magazine on a freelance basis for the last six months, because of her creativity, vision, the positive reader response to her work and her enthusiasm and respect for the audience and our brand. We remain committed to celebrating the unique beauty and style of African-American women in ESSENCE Magazine and online at ESSENCE.com."


I applaud Angela Burt-Murray for standing by and defending her decision. What do you think of her statement?


Also, last night Bryan Boy from the popular blog of the same name, tweeted:


How racist is this Michaela Angela Davis woman? http://bit.ly/9M3PGG So what if a white woman is capable of handling a black magazine?


It seems several people are crying reverse racism in response to the uproar about ESSENCE's white director. I feel they are missing the point. No one is saying Placas is not capable.


The overarching concern of women who have voiced disapproval is that the fashion industry, as a whole, is still very one-sided with white people occupying the majority of the top positions at major magazines. 


If the industry was more diverse as a whole, then a white Fashion Director at an African-American magazine would feel different I believe. But the reality is there aren't nearly as many opportunities as there should be for fashion editors of color in this business. And the hiring of Ellianna Placas means there is one less opportunity for African-Americans in the fashion industry, at a magazine that, as Burt-Murray said, "celebrates...African-American women."


One of our readers captured the sentiment best:


"What sticks out vividly in my head is come fashion week the chair that says "Essence Mag Fashion Director" will have a white woman sitting there amongst her peers whom are all white. Not a black face in site. Its truly disheartening."


Do you agree with Bryan Boy that the backlash surrounding Ellianna Placas is "racist?" Discuss.


And see some of Placas' work on Ciara below via Necole Bitchie:












































Kisses,


Coutura

Post Title

→

ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Speaks on White Fashion Director Controversy

Post URL

→

http://womencelebrity-gj.blogspot.com/2010/07/essence-editor-in-chief-speaks-on-white.html

Visit women celebrity for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection