Young British model, Jourdan Dunn is speaking out about the racism that still exist in her high profile profession. The 22 year old model recently revealed , in an interview with Net-A-Porter’s The Edit, that she too has faced racism like her colleague model, Chanel Iman. Like Iman, Dunn reveals how she has been turned away from castings because the agents filled their quotas with enough black girls. But her situations have been far worse than that. Jourdan also talks about a time when a white make-up artist would not touch her face because she was black.
But how does a model whose career has been ignited by campaigns with Yves Saint Laurent. Tommy Hilfiger and Burberry, hold it all together and wins in spite of the odds against her? Dunn says that it is through having strong mentors and people around her that encourage her to do her best. Those mentors and friends include W’s Edward Enniful and makeup artist Pat McGrath. Dunn says that her mother built up her self-esteem and was a great role model for her.
Dunn also sees the bigger picture in the obstacles that she faces within the modeling world. She does it all for her 3 year old son, who battles with sickle cell disease. Dunn is the first black model in ten years to walk in Prada’s fashion show. She has also graced the cover of Teen Vogue and won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards.
Dunn was discovered in Hammersmith Primark in 2006 and signed to Storm Model Management in London. In 2008, Steven Meisel selected Dunn to appear on the cover of the Vogue Italia issue. The issue held great significance because it was an issue devoted entirely to black models.Dunn is known for her signature walk and killer legs. Although black is beautiful, it is still hard for dark people of color to get ahead. Many dark people in the entertainment industry have to be ten times bolder or better in what they do, and even coming out and speaking against the industry can get you blacklisted. While this type of behavior in the industry may be nothing new, in this day and age it is worth noting that it is still a hindrance and an issue that needs to continually be addressed in order to effect change.
I'm saying nothing!!! Absolutely nothing because if I start I won't stop ...
Check out the full scoop at Net-A-Poter by following this link http://www.net-a-porter.com/magazine/187/12
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