Naomi Campbell: “Racist” Runways Must End

More than two decades after Naomi Campbell became a supermodel, Campbell says designer runways are still rife with racism. Along with beauty icon Iman and fashion activist Bethann Hardison, Campbell formed the Diversity Coalition to call attention to the lack of black models in fashion, specifically naming designers who recently had shows in Fall 2013 fashion weeks with “one or no models of color.”

In an open letter, the Coalition told the designers, “No matter the intention, the result is racism.” Some of the names listed include: Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Valentino, Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Versace, Calvin Klein, Donna Kara, Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler.

There’s no doubt that as a result of the open letter, all eyes will be on the choice of models in the upcoming Paris and Milan fashion weeks.