Model Diversity At New York Fashion Week Is On The Rise!

Not only has NYFW increased in the number of shows, boasting 143 this year, but it’s also becoming more diverse.

Yay!

Back in 2008, 87% of the models were white, but this year it decreased by a little over 7%, meaning 1/5 of the models were racially diverse!

The breakdown went like this:

79.4% - White models
8.1% - Black models
10.1% - Asian models
1.9% - Latina models
0.5% - Other

Some designers are still not on-board with hiring models of color. The Row, Elizabeth & James, See by Chloe, Araks, Brood, Calvin Klein, Louise Goldin and MM6 Maison Martin Margiela went with an all-white cast.

Some of the most inclusive designers were 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jason Wu, Zac Posen, Ralph Lauren, Betsey Johnson and Oscar de la Renta. Good for them!

We're not sure why people are so reluctant to include models of all races in their shows! They're not making clothes for only white people, so why have only white models?

[Image via B. Dowling/WENN.]

Tags: 3.1 phillip lim, araks, betsey johnson, brood, calvin klein, diversity, elizabeth and james, jason wu, louise goldin, mm6 maison martin margiela, new york fashion week, nyfw, oscar de la renta, ralph lauren, see by chloe, the row, zac posen