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Jennifer Becker

Fashion Model.
Born and Raised in New York City.. The only real city-city.

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thepeoplesrecord:



Barely 16-year-old white model poses in ‘African Queen’ editorialFeb 25, 2013
Here we go again. Here’s 16-year-old white model Ondria Hardin; she’s doused in a very deep bronze in an editorial for Numéro magazine called “African Queen”. Ugh. Foudre makes the excellent point/sums it up with, “why hire a black model when you could just paint a white one!”
Maybe it’s because the magazine just couldn’t find a black model? Maybe there are none, and it’s just not a profession that appeals to anyone but young, tall, skinny, white girls? They’re probably the only ones who enjoy traveling around the world and getting paid tons of money to be pretty? I know, I know, modeling is much more than that — don’t listen to me, I can barely smize! — but you get the point. It appears diversity also floundered at NYC’s fashion week this year, with over 82 percent of the models being white.
However, the same agency that represents Ondria Hardin has several black women in their pool. It’s a much (MUCH) tinier pool than the amount of white models they represent, but it does exist. And if none of those women are quite right, there are about a gazillion other places to look. There’s no excuse for using a barely 16-year-old white girl in an “African Queen” spread.
It’s impossible to look at this and not ache for young women of color who want to pursue careers in modeling (and arguably, fashion by extension). When they don’t see themselves on the runway or in magazines, it could be very easy for them to think, “huh, I guess modeling isn’t for me.” Then the status quo remains, and the runways remain monotone. If jobs for “African Queen” photo spreads aren’t going to black women, what hope is there?
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I usually tend to hold my tongue when I see posts of this nature because I simply feel its not worth the headache in getting involved. 
But this time I cannot hold my tongue.. and as a “female white model” I have a lot to say about this. 
Now I am not defending anyone here but I disagree with many of the comments made in this post. 
I understand that it is quite insulting that they chose to change her skin color while titling this story “African Queen”, had they chosen the title without coloring her skin or vice versa I believe there is no room for argument. 
Lets not forget that the continent of Africa does not only consist of woman of color but as well as arabic and white woman. 
I do believe they could have chosen to cast a black model for this or even african models such as Behati Prinsloo and Candice Swaenpeol.. who may I remind you are WHITE AND AFRICAN. But this probably did not occur to the casting director and/or photographer because YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND that when they cast models for these type of editorials especially they are trying to help them.. and believe it or not this will probably help her career. I must say she looks amazing even in a different skin tone.. and Ondria is on the “HOT LIST” (Models.com).. They are obviously trying to help her land major campaigns and shows by looking versatile. That is what clients want.. I know this. I work in this industry.. as a MODEL. I would have gladly done this editorial for Numero as well as I am sure many many many models would have. It is what it is. Although it could have went differently it still is a beautiful editorial, model, and great photographer. 
NOW FOR YOU TO SAY THERE IS NO HOPE FOR BLACK WOMAN TO BE MODELS.. YOU MUST BE JOKING. 
I can think of numerous models right now, yes woman of color who are doing amazing in their career.. landing campaigns and beauty contracts.. killing those editorials.. and yes dominating those runways. Its not all white girls so stop it. And this industry does not view them as white girls.. They are recognized for their nationality and not their color of skin.. so quit the nonsense. 
Our NUMBER ONE MODEL is Joan Smalls.. She is a woman of color if you have not  noticed. Do you even know what it means to be number one.. there are thousands of models all over the globe who would want nothing more than to be in her position. 
Now let me bring your attention to the current GAP campaign.. We all know Gap is a dominating brand that not only appeals to the United States but internationally as well. I am sure there are more people in this world who recognize GAP as a label as oppose to Givenchy. Lets look at the girls casted for that campaign Ajak Deng, Cris Urena, and Liza Golden. Neither three of these woman are white.. African, Dominican and Indian. All different nationalities and all woman of color. These girls are every where!! Buses, phone booths, the stores, commercials, and even the subways. Perfect example of the industry not sending the wrong message. 
I know many woman of color who are killing it in this industry.. Nykhor Paul from my agency literally just dominated NYFW and landed the current Louis Vuitton campaign.
When it comes to these issues it is not the fashion industry who is blowing it out of proportion.. it is the people who write these comments and posts. 
Instead of looking at the glass half empty people need to look at it half full. Just because of a story like this it does not mean “there is no hope for woman of color”.. Familiarize yourself with this industry first before you are quick to judge.. because I see plenty of hope for woman of color. 
There are many great models out there booking all the money jobs and walking all the major runways.. and yes they are of color. And personally I look at a runway I see nations walking not dark skin, light skin, or asian woman. I see countries. 
Models do not represent their skin color.. they represent their country.. that is their pride and joy. I know this as a model and because I know many models out there. 
SO PLEASE STOP ADVERTISING THIS. 
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