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S Unit 9: Ethnic and cultural diversity Reading–writing: The world’s first non-white modelling agency – a true celebration of diversity (B2) a) Read an article on the first non-white modelling agency. b) While reading, write down the lines that deal with the aspects listed below. 1. The early beginnings of the agency: 2. Kaptownwala’s negative comment on the immediate future of modelling: 3. Positive examples of change: 4. The history of fashion repeats itself: 5. The most successful model types: 6. Fundamental changes to the way people present themselves: 1  Launched in London in 2014, Lorde boasts a catalogue of models of colour who challenge the fashion industry’s bias towards Caucasian looks. Looking at the models on Lorde Inc’s website, the first thing that strikes you is that these people are really, really good looking. Ornello has long plaits and a gap between her teeth. Mohammed is all chocolate eyes and wavy locks. And Urjii is cheekbones and expressive stare. The second thing? None of the models – about 60 in all – are white. Lorde was set up in May 2014 as the first of its kind – an agency made up entirely of models of colour. It is the brainchild of Nafisa Kaptownwala, a young Canadian art history graduate, who began to work on the fringes of fashion and noticed the lack of non-white models. Despite no experience in the modelling industry, she set up Lorde in London with a friend and “the next thing, people were contacting us”. In spite of this, Kaptownwala is pessimistic about diversity in modelling. “There’s still not a massive demand because this is still a radical idea and people in fashion are not really ready for it,” she says. However, there seem to be the signs of change, with Balmain’s Olivier Roustein (himself mixed race) championing a catwalk of all sorts of ethnicities, Rihanna becoming the first black woman in a Dior campaign and Lineisy Montero walking the Prada catwalk with a visible afro. “Things are changing but in a minimal way,” acknowledges Kaptownwala. “But there were more models of colour on the catwalk in the 90s than there are now. It kind of goes in cycles.” The dominance of white faces in fashion means her job, compared to that of a model booker at a larger agency, is a lot harder. “They work with everyone and we are fulfilling a niche,” she says. “The beauty standards are that the European is the epitome of what’s marketable, and not just to European consumers. I have spoken to magazines in Japan who only use Japanese and European models.” Kaptownwala believes the internet – and the culture of selfies – has a role to play in broadening what we think is beautiful, and has made an entire generation comfortable in front of the camera. “People are posing in their own ways, creating their own photo shoots,” she says. “It redefines beauty, opens things up and allows people to say ‘I want to be part of this.’” (Lauren Cochrane, The Guardian , 23 July 2015) c) Having read the article above, you decide to write an e-mail to the editor expressing your own views about diversity in modelling. In your e-mail you should: describe the situation in the fashion business explain possible reasons for the present situation discuss why this issue is important in the long run Write around 250 words . 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 166 Semester self-checks Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv