Tyson Beckford wasn’t shy about his feelings toward the fashion industry as he called out fashion’s blatant lack of diversity.
“Out of all the industries I find — me personally and I think that a lot of people will agree with me — that fashion is very racist,” Beckford shared with HuffPost Live. Although he admitted to male models catching problems when it comes to diversity in fashion, Beckford added that women have it worse.
“This past season during fashion week, you might go to a show and it’s all white girls. Not one Asian or Black or Latino girl was in it. It kind of makes that ethnic race of people feel like they’re not important or being catered to,” the 43-year-old fashion icon said. “There’s more diversity needed in it. But fashion is the most racist business out right now.”
Beckford’s views echo past comments from elite models of color such as Naomi Campbell, Iman, Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman, who have spoke out on fashion’s lack of diversity. The issue has motivated Beckford’s manager and renowned fashion activist, Bethann Hardison, to spearhead the need for change with the formation of the Diversity Coalition.
According to Beckford, key players within the fashion world — such as designers, stylists, modeling agencies, and bookers — are the ones that can make a difference to solve the problem by hiring more black models.
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