To summarise, the article discusses how many Asian designers and fashion houses use foreign models that can pass as Asian in their fashion shows and bridal wear adverts on account of the light skin preference on the subcontinent.
A photographer friend of mine who works for an Asian bridal magazine mentioned that this is rather common here in the UK as well. Interestingly, the Swedish/Spanish girlfriend of a friend of ours often models for said magazine. She also stated that some casting calls for Asian labels blatantly state that their looking for a white model that “looks Desi.”
The author of the article above discusses how she feels this is dishonest, gives women unrealistic expectations and further fuels the obsession for light skin.
What do you guys think? Do you think the author is right or overreacting?
The way I see it, part of the reason non-desi models are hired because it kind of elevates the product the designer is trying to sell. In a way they’re saying “look, we are such amazing designers that even gora people wear our stuff”. It’s the whole inferiority complex coming out when non-desi models are hired, as if they are not good enough to model their designs. However, I don’t think they do themselves or their pieces any favor. Desi models can carry off the traditional pieces so much better than a non-desi model (I am including Arab models too, as a lot of Pakistani designers go to Dubai to have fashion shows and use non-desi models there).
For example, same designer, HSY. Top picture from when he had a show in Dubai, bottom from a runway show in Pakistan. Sure, the top model is pretty, but is she doing justice to the dress? Not so much.
As for Amina Sheikh, she is the ONLY dark skinned model currently working. Sunita MArshal was another dark skinned model, but I have yet to see a fashion shoot picture of her where she is not caked up to be shades lighter than she is. Even on her own wedding she doesn’t really show her skin tone, which is a shame tbh. The rest of the Pakistani entertainment history is just full of gori gori girls, which does not even properly represent the population of Pakistan.
I think you’re right Mezghan, it is even more enforcing that the tan skin is ugly and unwanted. The west is rife with people trying to look as tan as they can, and they wear it proudly, just as proudly as they wear their really fair skin. But it’s somehow not good enough for us to represent the color that is common in our own subcontinent. It’s frustrating enough as a consumer when major cosmetics brands (all NA/Europe based) release makeup collections with colors that I know will never even show up on my skin, and then have our own designers kinda do the same by saying the desis aren’t good enough, the models are not good enough and the skin color is not good enough, so we’re going to hire someone better.
Interestingly, I’ve rather noticed something about some actresses. I’ve noticed that when they’re photographed at western functions or do photoshoots for western magazines, they look more natural and aren’t caked on with lighter foundation, whereas the opposite is true when they’re photographed at Desi functions or for adverts.
Examples:
Priyanka Chopra
At a charity event for UNICEF:
At some industry awards show:
Bipasha Basu
I haven’t read the article, but the it seems like an overreaction if the writer is talking about magazines like Asiana, Asian Bride etc etc. These are UK based Asian magazine who often intentionally go for Caucasian models for marketing purposes. it’s one of their ways of involving and attracting local Caucasian market and allowing their clothes to have a universal appeal as well as allowing them to maintain the exotic factor. And because they are UK based magazines, they go for local modelling agencies. And truth to be told, coloured women trying to get into these agencies is akin to a sixth form drop-out trying to get into Oxbridge. What is really shocking is that those women aren’t necessarily recognised because of their skin colour, they get denied because of their body types! Unfortunately, not many people know about this type of discrimination and not many people bother to notice as well.
For example, the faces and bodies of Latino models dominates the lingerie industry, but at the same time, these same models who make the men drool and women green with envy are not wanted in high fashion. Some of the biggest fashion houses will rather give 16 year old girl a chance to walk down the runaway than hire a Victoria Secret model.
I was going to suggest what Jolie has mentioned about.
It's not just about being fair or dusky, the body type also comes into play.
Asian gals tend to have curves that take attention away from the clothing on display on a runway.
Muzna, 99% of the models in Asiana are commercial rather than high fashion and don't need to have 'standard' model stats (ie they're MUCH shorter, curvier etc).. Asiana hardly (if ever) uses girls from top fashion agencies so in theory they could use more Pakistani or Indian girls if they wanted.. some of the girls are complete amateurs as well and not signed to any agency at all..
I also don't buy the point about diversifying their readership.. As if non-desi girls would sit there reading desi bridal mags looking for lehengas lol..
Even** if** that was the point isn't it funny how these white models can sort of pass for light desis? Nearly all have the same dark hairl/light eyes look.. A lot of the time it can be difficult to tell if they really are white girls or just pale-skinned desi.. Funny how they don't really use blonde models or those who blatantly do look as though they must be Caucasian.. I have nothing against models from white, black or any other backgrounds modelling for desi magazines but if I'm honest I find 'passing off' white models as desi brides and the usual ott whitewashing when they actually do bother to use Indian or Pakistani models a bit sinister..
A couple of people have mentioned the issue of body type. The author of the article touches on that point and uses it to support her claim. She states that quite a few of the models at recent runway shows she's attended do not meet the 5'8 height requirement and do not have the standard proportions usually required for high fashion modelling. Interestingly, she points out that most of said models were eastern European with dark hair and could pass for Desi.
kafi blunt statement hai…
