We can report that the just ended New York fashion week featured the least racially diverse cast of models since 2008. New York fashion week featured 137 designer runway shows and presentations, and 5,269 different fall outfits were presented to the world’s retailers and press. Of those 5,269 looks, 4,468 — an overwhelming 84.8% — were modeled by white women. 801 of those looks were given to models who aren’t white. Black models were used 384 times. Asian models were used 323 times. Non-white Latina models were used 79 times. Models of other races only made it onto the runways of New York City — one of the most racially diverse places on this planet — 15 times.
Lead photo: Black models at the Fall 2011 New York collections. From top left: Ataui Deng, Rose Cordero, Mia Aminata Niaria, R’El Dade, Melodie Monrose, Anais Mali, Jourdan Dunn, Cordero, Niaria, Herieth Paul, Joan Smalls, Mali, and Dunn. Click any photo to enlarge.
Among those designers who cast diverse models were 3.1 Phillip Lim, Chado Ralph Rucci, Costello Tagliapietra, Diane von Furstenberg, Elie Tahari, Jason Wu, Nanette Lepore, Nicole Miller, Oscar de la Renta, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Rachel Roy, Ralph Lauren, Sophie Théallet, Thakoon Panichgul, and Tracy Reese.
And some designers who did not: BCBG Max Azria, Calvin Klein, Cynthia Rowley, Diesel, Donna Karan, Hervé Leger by Max Azria, Jill Stuart, Kimberley Ovitz, Narciso Rodriguez, Rodarte, and Vera Wang.
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