CFDA Organization Claims Black Models Are Being Discriminated Against on the Runway at New York Fashion Week

Words by Alyson Robinson

Last week The Hip Hop Enquirer reported about the 22 designers to take part in New York Fashion Week. This week, as fashion week prepares to complete its last catwalk steps, The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), headed by Diane von Furstenberg, is preparing for talks with Bethann Hardison and The Diversity Coalition’s accusations of racism.

The meeting is reportedly taking place because of a letter that was sent out by Hardison’s group lashing out against racism on the runways of the fashion world, which include Paris, London and Milan. The short but effectively hard-hitting letter names specific persons of “fashion houses guilty of this racist act” that unashamedly whitewash the industry.

Bethann Hardison: Earlier Model Days

Another person who reached out to Hardison after the letter was Gemma Ebelis, The British Fashion Council spokeswoman. There are intentions for both the BFC and The Diversity Coalition to meet up “to see how we can continue the discussion as they requested,” Hardison told WWD.

Antonio Berardi Fall 2013 

Hardison’s attempts at diversity have now stretched outside of the fashion industry and has caught substantial media attention. On Monday, Hardison along with fellow Diversity Coalition members Naomi Campbell and Iman, spoke with “Good Morning America” to shed light on the issue of race on the runway.

What do you think? Should it just be accepted that this is how fashion is?

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