Casting Crisis

T Magazine went behind the scenes at castings for three of New York Fashion Week's biggest shows - 3.1 Phillip Lim, Altuzarra and Band of Outsiders. Booking a spot in any of the three line-ups for 3.1 Phillip Lim, Altuzarra and Band of Outsiders, guarantees a model maximum exposure and a berth that may potentially carry through to the shows in London, Paris and Milan. With casting directors Kannon Rajah at the helm for Altuzarra and whiz kid Daniel Peddle keeping a close eye on proceedings at 3.1 Phillip Lim and Band of Outsiders, every established model and newcomer worth talking about, was ready to be put through their paces.

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Kendra Spears reflects
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Andie Arthur & Maud Welzen
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Jeneil Williams
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Caught off Guard
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Xiao Wen Ju
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Sitting Pretty
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Tao Okamoto
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

Altuzarra Casting
Emily Baker
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Altuzarra Casting
Josephine Skriver
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Altuzarra Casting
Lindsey Wixson
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Altuzarra Casting
Unidentified Model
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Altuzarra Casting
Lina Zhang
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Band of Outsiders Casting
Jessica Clarke
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

Band of Outsiders Casting
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

Band of Outsiders Casting
Sarah Blomqvist
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

Band of Outsiders Casting
Under Close Scrutiny
Photographer - Kevin Tachman
All images courtesy of www.tmagazine.blog.nytimes.com

Jamaican Pride

September is shaping up to be a bumper month editorial-wise for models of colour. American Elle showcases the illuminating beauty of Jamaican model Jeneil Williams in an editorial shot by Laurie Bartley. Represented by New York Models, Kingston-born Williams brings a touch of modernity to a series of outdoor shots set amidst the tropical flora and fauna of the Caribbean island of St Lucia. Williams looks simply spellbinding in neon bright graphic prints which contrast beautifully with her flawless ebony coloured skin. I have not purchased American Elle since the late Nineties but with editorials featuring the likes of Williams, Herieth Paul and Stephanie Seymour in its September edition, it may well be time to break the drought.

Jeneil Williams
US Elle - September 2011
Photographer - Laurie Bartley
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Colour Blind

Editorials featuring all-Black or all-Asian model casts have been all the rage since Vogue Italia's Black Issue hit newsstands in July 2008. US Vogue, US Harpers Bazaar, Allure, Interview, i-D Magazine, Vogue Italia, Vogue China and Russian Vogue have all since featured editorials with models grouped according to ethnicity. Whilst it is commendable to see a broader cross-section of racial groups represented in fashion publications, I am not convinced that editorials which segregate models based on their skin pigmentation is the solution to the on-going debate over the lack of diversity in fashion.

Is the singling out of a particular racial group in editorials a mere gimmick or does it signify real progress in the move towards a fashion industry that is more inclusive? If Chanel's recent Resort show is any indication, I would hazard a guess that the fashion industry has a long way to go towards understanding and embracing the concept of diversity. Out of the 74 looks featured in Chanel's Cruise collection, not a single black model was featured in the line-up. I look forward to the day when it is the norm to see fashion editorials and runway shows in which multiple ethnics groups are represented rather than just the odd token Asian or Black model amongst a cast of Caucasians.

Jeneil Williams & Aminata Niaria

Sedene Blake

Aminata Niaria & Jeneil Williams

Sedene Blake, Aminata Niaria & Reina Montero

Reina Montero, Jeneil Williams & Sedene Blake

Sedene Blake & Jeneil Williams

Shena Moulton, Jeneil Williams & Aminata Niaria
Vogue Russia - July 2010
Photographer - Terry Tsiolis
Source - thefashionspot.com