June 8, 2010
This week the National Film Board of Canada launched "The Colour of Beauty", a provocative short documentary that examines racism and lack of diversity in the fashion industry through the eyes of a young, ambitious Black model living in New York city.
Renee Thompson has got the looks, the walk and the drive. But she’s a Black model in a world where White women represent the standard of beauty. In interviews with industry insiders we hear that agencies seldom hire Black models, and when they do, they want them to look "like White girls dipped in chocolate."
Is a Black Model less attractive to designers, casting directors and consumers? What is the colour of beauty? Canadian fashion icons like Jeanne Beker, host of CTV's Fashion Television and Lisa Tant, Editor-In-Chief of Flare Magazine offer their insights.
Since its online launch this week, “The Colour of Beauty” has gone “viral” on the internet and sparked heated debate on influential sites like Jezebel.com. The documentary has also been featured on CTV News Channel, Canada AM, Fashion Television, cbc.ca, CBC French radio, Le Téléjournal Montreal and La Presse.
You can watch the film here - I hope you enjoy it. http://nfb.ca/film/colour_of_beauty
For media interviews with Renee or myself, please feel free to contact me at 416-528-3807 or laruba2@yahoo.com
Hope to speak with you soon.
All the best,
Elizabeth St. Philip
Director - The Colour of Beauty
