Top Fashion and Beauty Campaigns Playing with ‘Color’
Recapping on the glory of these inclusive campaigns from the year 2017!
Inclusivity (n): an intention or policy of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who are handicapped or learning-disabled, or racial and sexual minorities.
Image via Miu Miu
During a socially-responsible age where voicing one’s opinion and self-expression is vital, the topic of racial inclusivity in the fashion industry remains. Model Advocate Ashley B. Chew stirred up a rise in the conversation with her movement #BlackModelsMatter and it was just a matter of time before the industry would pick up on it. Or so we thought?
Even after Diane Von Furstenberg’s Health Initiative Letter encouraging diversity in model casings, there has steadily been a fluctuation of diversity on runways with Fall/Winter ‘17 being only 27.9% non-white. Spring/Summer ‘17 and The Fall/Winter ‘16 and Spring/Summer ‘17 breakdown was only 25.4% and 24.5%, respectively, for all four fashion cities combined (Fashion Spot).
Chart courtesy of the Fashion Spot
If you think those numbers are disappointing, you’d be surprise at the lack of models of color that grace fashion print campaigns. It has taken fashion campaigns some time to catch up with even the slightest bit of diversity on the runways in advertising. Fashion Spot’s Seasonal Diversity report recognized only a 24.5% on models of color in print campaigns for Spring/Summer ‘17, that only being a 1.2 point improvement to the season prior (Fashion Spot). The lack of inclusivity in campaigns sometimes makes consumers of color wonder if the brand considered them a part of the marketing strategy at all.
Well, this year in 2017, diversity in fashion ad campaigns actually exceeded the numbers off the runway by 2.5 point. From STATE Models such as Alton Mason for Gucci’s PreFall ‘17 campaign to DNA Model/Activist, Adwoa Aboah, gracing major campaigns for Dior and Miu Miu, color was dripping off the pages of fashion publications and advertising.
Take a gander at a handful of dope fashion and beauty brands playing with “color,” and getting with the idea of inclusivity:
With a mission to include all hues of “nude,” Christian Louboutin sweeps us away with the continuation of his extensive nude collection with another fun and whimsical inclusive campaign. The collection has maintained a selection of seven shades (with only five shades in previous years) and introduces two new shoe styles.
Gucci’s Pre-Fall 2017 Campaign
Image via Gucci
Gucci’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele gave us a visual direction aligned with the soul of the Disco-era with his Pre-Fall ‘17 campaign, “Soul Scene.” Michele was wooed by the photography art exhibition, “Made You Look,” an illustrative series highlighting “Dandyism” and its connection to Black masculinity, which inspired him to create this energetic, whimsical campaign featuring an all Black cast. Way to take accrediting Black influence to the next level, Michele!
CoverFX #NudeIsNotBeige Campaign
Image via CoverFX
This past month, beauty brand, Cover FX, launched an all inclusive beauty campaign entitled #NudeIsNotBeige – an aim to celebrate and embrace the diversity of skin shades and undertones. Cover FX prides themselves in providing over 40 shades under three undertones in the past couple of years. The website provides an interactive chat box via Messenger where it assists consumers finding their perfect match!
Coach 1941 Fall 2017 Campaign
An ode to New York City with stylish cool kids riding a subway train in Brooklyn, Coach 1941 Fall ‘17 campaign makes an attempt to gives us retro-70s vibes with the styling and visual direction. As Creative Director Stuart Vevers told ELLE.com, “New York City is a continual inspiration…The subway is in a way a representation of the city itself – a melting pot.” Starring Dominican model, Hilandra Hernandez, Kenyan Paris Fashion Week sensation Imari Karanji, and Chinese IMG model He Cong, Vevers overwhelms us with an illustrative depiction of what a “melting pot” truly is!
Moschino Fall 2017 Campaign
Striking, edgy with a hint of class, Steven Meisel was able to capture these elements of models with dominant presence. The juxtaposition of shooting in a woodshed setting while artistically using artifacts as wardrobe elements to create a luxurious image is what makes this campaign so daunting. Jeremy Scott’s aim to depict this avant-garde direction was spot on, especially with casting model, Hilandra Hernandez, as the image of the campaign and beautiful avant-garde model, Slick Woods.
Miu Miu Fall 2017 Campaign
Image via Miu Miu
Striking, edgy with a hint of class, Steven Meisel was able to capture these elements of models with dominant presence. The juxtaposition of shooting in a woodshed setting while artistically using artifacts as wardrobe elements to create a luxurious image is what makes this campaign so daunting. Jeremy Scott’s aim to depict this avant-garde direction was spot on, especially with casting model, Hilandra Hernandez, as the image of the campaign and beautiful avant-garde model, Slick Woods.
Miu Miu Fall 2017 Campaign
Image via Miu Miu
Inspired by the captivating culture and landscapes of New Orleans, Miu Miu design collage-driven imagery to showcased their Fall/Winter ‘17 collection. The campaign includes scenes featuring the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and an inclusive display of women along a Louisiana bayou, including actress Naomie Harris and sister models, Adwoa and Kesewa Aboah. The imagery exudes an alluring feel of the jazz renaissance while simultaneously showcasing the warming sensations of the ‘Big Easy.’
Christian Dior Fall 2017 Campaign
Image via CR Fashion Book
Known for their continuous use of Dior muse, Ruth Lee, the brand decided to spice it up a bit by adding dashes of color to their campaigns under the guidance of Art Director Maria Grazia Chiuri. Models, Fernanda Ly and Adwoa Aboah, stood with a strong, minimal presence exuding confidence and poise in the bleak, military brat inspired campaign. Although deemed as “boring and depressing” or “flat” by a few forum members of The Fashion Spot, the attempts to diversify the campaign from the Spring release was a breath of fresh air.
Fenty BeautyxRihanna Sneak Peak Launch Campaign
Known for their continuous use of Dior muse, Ruth Lee, the brand decided to spice it up a bit by adding dashes of color to their campaigns under the guidance of Art Director Maria Grazia Chiuri. Models, Fernanda Ly and Adwoa Aboah, stood with a strong, minimal presence exuding confidence and poise in the bleak, military brat inspired campaign. Although deemed as “boring and depressing” or “flat” by a few forum members of The Fashion Spot, the attempts to diversify the campaign from the Spring release was a breath of fresh air.
Fenty BeautyxRihanna Sneak Peak Launch Campaign
We’re all still in awe at Rihanna’s impact on racial inclusivity in the fashion/beauty industries, but her promotional “Sneak Peak” launch campaign for Fenty Beauty just takes the cake. Featuring models such as Slick Woods and Duckie Thot as well as Somali-American model, Halima Aden, being the face of the campaign, the creative direction attempts to promote inclusion of not only skin tones but also racial status and religious values. With a high fashion driven filming direction, Fenty Beauty’s launch campaign embodies a “Girl-Power” persona and unified aesthetic.
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Although the non-White presence in the industry is still less than half, we should still acknowledge the small wins and the gradual progression of fashion diversity. We have quite a ways to go but we’re excited to celebrate these amazing campaigns and share them with our audience!
What about you guys? Is there any all-inclusive campaigns worth mentioning you think we may have missed? Feel free to share in the comments!