Flaunt Features Men of Color
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that most magazines rarely feature minorities in fashion editorials. I find it somewhat amazing that the likes of Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Alek Wek, and the ever so gorgeous Liya Kebede has been blessed which such staying power. And let us not forget the fellas… Aside from Tyson Beckford, how many of you can seriously name any other black male super models?
We have heard stories about this time and time again, and yet nothing has really been done about it. True, Sean Combs featured all men of color in his fall/winter collection, and though I was very proud to see this, I was slightly disappointed as well.
What is the message that he, or his caucasian counterparts sending to the masses? Sure, I am well aware that some fashion shows have particular themes, but come on!!!! Is this ever going to end? Will designers ever widen their variety of casting calls when they book models for shows?
As I sit and have a glass of wine, I begin to flip through on of my favorite magazines, Flaunt (issue97). I gasp as I see a dark chocolate brother wearing an edgy outfit with the bold word PRADA across his mid-section. I recognized the face as new and upcoming model Courtney Taylor.
Is it possible that politics will someway or another
have more of an influence on the fashion industry opening the doors to
more models of color?
On the next page was the cocky posed Shawn Sutton, who had his crew dressed just as sharply behind him on what appeared to be the stoop of a Harlem brownstone. I held the page and flipped to see how many more delightful images were to come, and to my surprise, there were a number of 
them. A chess cat grin spread across my face as I heard the words of our new president, "It's time for a change."
For those of you who may not be familiar with Flaunt, I think it is definetley one that you should consider doing a little research on. Though the magazine can be categorized as a high fashion/entertainment magaine; Flaunt is always a pleasure to pick up because they tend recongize a multitude of races and on a very regular basis. The Los Angeles based magazine probably books more blacks and latinos in a year than GQ, Details, V, and L'Umo Vogue combined.
Aside from the fashion forward magazine recognizing an abundance of races, I may need to also mention they feature a great deal of royalty. Okay I'm kidding but , Salieu Jalloh, another model featured in the mouth water editorial is an actual Prince from South Africa. Salieu (pronunced, Sally-U), is also featured in the current issue of Wonderland magazine.
As I bring my thoughts to a close, I must ask a question… Is it possible that politics will someway or another have more of an influence on the fashion industry opening the doors to more models of color?
