TRANSCRIPT
Melbourne Fashion Week is missing out on some models of colour over claims of racism in the industry.
Models from African heritage have slammed the Australian Fashion Sector over multiple instances of racism they have experienced.
Although the industry claims to have embraced diversity with evident display on runways, some models beg to differ.
“The Australian fashion industry isn't, you know, as inclusive and diverse as they claim to be.”
13 models are using the Melbourne Fashion Week to take a stand and draw attention to their experiences in recent years.
Some turned down offers to appear at the festival, while others refused casting calls.
Seychellois-Australian Jeffery Kissubi is one of the models.
“Our experience were very similar but it had something in common but what was listening to it. Cos its not the first time we’ve come forward and talk about what happened to us. The difference now is just we rallied up with each other and we said that a group of us can have more in pack rather than just one voice.”
The models claim there is a lot of disparity in the industry, including compensation difference compared to their caucasian counterparts.
Jeffery says the problem goes beyond fashion week, to their overall experiences within the industry at large.
“I'm not gonna go into details but obviously, you know, like as being a model, I’ve work with amazing brands. I've shot some very amazing campaigns, but I've also had some bad experience on sets, people being racially insensitive saying racially inappropriate things, prejudice ignorance, its things that we should no longer be able to go online and call it out. Because this is just basic understanding and knowledge that these things are not appropriate.”
Anyer Youl a former model also says the industry lacks a representation of black people.
“Even if a few models might have a chance to do the runway when you go and you do a runway, for example, you don't even see people, makeup artists that could do your makeup properly. You can't even see a hair artists that could do your hair so you can feel special when you're doing a runway. I remember for me, so many times I always have to carry my foundation. I always had to make sure my hair was done by someone else. So then I don't have to struggle. And I always had to make sure that I was really looking after myself because I knew that the whole industry was not equipped enough to make a black model feel inclusive in all aspects.”
Ms Yuol who also owns a modelling agency for people from different cultural backgrounds, says while she struggled to get jobs as a model, she is also now still struggling to get jobs for her models.
“I've already faced many challenges of my own because even though I started a modelling agency that is going to represent communities that are not already represented. I also don't have a chance because you also get it you get bookkeepers, casting, you get big brands that go to agencies that don't even have minorities, might have one and then they will go to them for opportunities. So just like many models, I also been finding very challenging as an agency to even make it in this industry as well.”
Jeffery says they hope stakeholders in the industry can lend their voice to the onoging issue.
Designer Fatuma Ndzenzako [[ZEN-ZARKO]] acknowledges the need for diversity, but says some progress has been made.
“As a designer, it really means a lot for us for all the shows to be inclusive. And obviously, it’s very concerning when people aren't treated the way they are. I've spoken to lots of people at the Melbourne Fashion Week and also lots of the other models, women of color, and I've also talked to them about their concerns, and I think that they have done a lot for change in this space. But I think that doing better is always a way that we can all move forward and get everyone on the same page.”
Ms Yuol says although some progress has been made in the sector towards more inclusivity in recent years, more action is needed.
“I don't believe Australia is very diverse. It's not inclusive enough to make models want to have a career here in Australia and we have seen this form a few models who have left Australia. So then they can make it in the industry.”
