Artistic Expression or Racism?

New York Fashion Week brings together a diverse group of people from all walks of life who share one common interest: fashion. However many of the fashions shows they have been lacking when it comes to racial diversity on the runway. It has become so problematic that models Chanel Iman, Naomi Campbell, and Bethann Hardison have started a campaign to increase the level of diversity in fashion. According to Chanel Iman, there were more black models in the 70's than there are today but, under the guise or artistic expression and aesthetics many designers side step the issue of racial diversity.

 “Nobody is calling these designers racist," says Iman, "but the act itself is racism.” Iman’s words touch on something that Omni and Winant’s piece was trying to break down – how racism functions socially, politically, and the various degrees to which a person or people can be racists (73). In this instance where designers hold the power and authority over who they cast in their shows, the issue of intention then comes into play and a fine line is drawn. A designer can cast one type of model because it conforms to the fashion aesthetic is a racist act. To repeatedly do so and after multiple outcries to diversify their runway has been acknowledged makes not only the act, but them person themselves, racist.