No shade, but Refinery 29 and Fashionista, where are your black girls? Why aren’t more women of color showcased in the fashion community? There is a growing community of women of color that DOMINATE the fashion scene. They trend all over the Tumblrs, Instagrams, and YouTubes of the world and yet they aren’t featured on popular online publications.
There’s an over-saturation of articles referencing the street styles of French girls and showcasing non-women of color rocking cornrows as their latest style accessory for their street style look. There are even articles about fashion week catering to Asian street style around the world.
My question is, where are all of the black girls who slay the concrete jungle on a regular basis?
We know there is a lack of diversity in the fashion industry; moves are being made to combat that, like Zac Posen’s runway show featuring predominantly black models, but why aren’t there more advertisements showcasing more women of color, particularly black women.
I get my daily source of fashion inspiration from online fashion geared websites and Pintrest. It’s unfortunate that I find more trendsetting women of color circulating Pintrest and Instagram, than I do on popular fashion websites. Have you ever checked out the website “Who What Where?” Their section on street style showcases badass looks that any fashionista would love to recreate, but it’s frustrating when you don’t look like the girl being featured in those photos.
Only a selected few get props for being bomb-ass street style influencers. Notables like fashion maven, Shiona Turini and beauty queen, Elaine Welteroth are two women of color that slay NYC’s streets.
As the fashion community continues to grow and shift, slowly becoming more diverse in its ads and brands, shouldn’t we see more trendsetting women of color gracing the street style section at some point?
Bloggers Featured L-R
Ash Kardash’Batch, Monica Awe-Etuk, Stephanie, Ariel Sansaricq, Monroe Steel, Model via NY Times Fashion, Osha Waiters, Ade Samuel
#BlackStreetStyle
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I loved reading this post. They are hundreds of unique, inspiring Black bloggers who are genuinely adding to the fashion scene – yet I’ve (very) rarely seen any mentioned by major fashion publications. It’s a shame that what they “bring to the table” is not acknowledged, recognized and celebrated along with the work of other rising bloggers. And as you said, when I’m going through street style snaps, it would be nice to see girls who looks like me once in a while. Of course, this doesn’t mean that we Black girls cannot identify with the style and aesthetics of people from different ethnicities – simply that we have our place there too.
And thank you for the feature!
Much love,
Iman | Manigazer
I’m so glad you liked the article! Love your street style! Let’s get #blackstreetstyle trending!
Great post! This is exactly why I try to feature as many WoC in the beauty and style pieces that I share on social media. Especially when those pieces originate from the main stream media. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! Our writers do a great job at producing content on matters that are important to the black community.
I like the post and see where you are coming from. However, we need to stop looking for validation from non black entities.
Create our own fashion opportunities. Start a fashion line or magazine and raise money with crowd funding to launch it.
Link up with other like minded black women and start one together etc.
It all starts within us and our communities. Why would you look to peole who clearly don’t want women of color?
Thank you Nycole for your thoughtful post! I agree with you 100%. The purpose of this post was to bring awareness on the disparities. There will be a follow up post soon that will discuss our need to cease in seeking validation from non-black outlets…I might even do a video speaking about it.
When I first started The Co Report, everything was very multi cultural and it catered to everyone. I realized that by doing this I was doing myself and my black female audience a disservice. I was unable to talk about the “black issues” that plagues our community without offending and upsetting my white audience. Also, I always felt as if I “had” to include white women for the sake of them feeling included. Since rebranding, I am now in love with the direction The Co Report is going by unifying and uplifting black women globally through fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.
Please feel free to email me if you’d like to brainstorm together on better ways that this can be achieved. I’d love to hear from you!
Best,
Coco
cocobates@thecoreport.com
Thanks so much Nycole! In re creating our own mediums that celebrate our #blackmagic, I totally agree with you.
I think that’s why I love the Co Report. It’s our own space to shout out places that often don’t recognize our magic.
This post was merely a way to call out those that don’t recognize us and bring awearness to black street style, something we don’t hear enough about!
Also, we must be conscious that those who don’t include us, sometimes are just that ignorant to what goes on outside their bubble. I do feel that it’s our duty to promote #stayingwoke!
Great post lovely. And thank you so much for the feature.