Deddeh Howard, a L.A.-based black model was so fed up with seeing fashion campaigns featuring only fair and white colored models,took to re-created major campaigns from brands like Chanel and Gucci fronted by Gisele Bündchen, Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss, and more with the help of her photographer boyfriend Raffael Raffael Dickreuter.
Image courtesy / credits – RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Image courtesy / credits – RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
She launched the project titled Black Mirror on her blog with a call for more inclusivity in the fashion industry. “In a time where Black people too often are in the media for being underrepresented at important events such as the Oscars or make headlines for being targeted by the police I felt it was time to do something positive and inspiring about my race,” she writes. “I’m personally fighting for more diversity.”On her Instagram Howard had posted this pic with the caption below –
What do you mean you already have 2 to 5 black models that looks like me? Did you say the same thing to the 50-100 white models you already have? If @kendalljenner can do it, so can me or any other race!! Here is my prof, so open your eyes and see that Fashion is not black or white! Life is not black or white. I’m just like her. #blackmirror#blackmodelsmatter Right guys? Photo credit: @raffaelphoto_com Makeup and hair by: @dgbyjd Hair by: @melissahoylehair
Image courtesy / credits – RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Image courtesy / credits – RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Howard has been modeling since she was 18 years old and says being rejected for opportunities because of her skin color “crushed” her at that young age. She says oftentimes brands wouldn’t cast her because they had already fulfilled some unwritten quota on black models.You have 100 white girls but you only have two or three black girls—and you’re turning me down because of that? It’s such a shame that they try to cast a couple and are like, ‘This girl represents everybody,'” Howard says. “Like Victoria’s Secret—they cast the same black girl and they use her all the time. Do you not believe another girl can do the same thing she’s doing?”
Image courtesy / credits – RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Image courtesy / credits – RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Howard chose brands she likes personally and models she looks up to, like Kate Moss and Candice Swanepoel. “We wanted to show the world that whatever she can do, I can do the exact same thing,” she says. “The way she curves her body, I can curve my body the exact same way—if you need a sexy, diverse model, there is a sexy, diverse model. You just need to include her.”
Image courtesy / credits – RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Image courtesy / credits – RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
As for aspiring models of color, Howard offers this advice: “Never give up. Keep trying like I did. I want them to know that they have a chance and I hope after this, someone can see a [black model] and give them a chance. I want them to stand up for themselves, speak up, and not shy away.They should know that they are going to be compared to white girls,” she continues. “But they should keep fighting. Don’t let anybody put you down because of your skin tone. Embrace who you are. We’re all beautiful.”
