How many times have you seen a Guess ad or any ad and thought, “Yaass! That would look killer on me!” and when you actually try the dress on you look like a basic shape: a square to be precise.
There is nothing wrong with Guess clothing—they have beatuiful garments for great prices! The problem lies with the general lack of diversity in fashion, whether that be size or race. An African model recognized this issue and advocated against it in a way she knew best—modeling.
Dede Howard recreated a number of ad campaigns that featured famous brands like Guess, Chanel, Victoria Secret, Dolce & Gabbana etc. She successfully showed what an ad would like if the main model was different from the usual staple. This campaign she titled “Black Mirror” drew worlwide attention.
See the rest of the photos here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/victoriasanusi/black-mirror?utm_term=.qn05Y0JzQ#.ow91K7nwW
This is a great step to change. I believe Ms. Howard highlighted an important issue about lack of colored models in the media, but I believe it doesn’t stop there. I believe ads should have models of all shapes, sizes and race. Ads need to be realistic. There isn’t just one type of woman in the world. We are many, with our different characteristics, whether it’s stretch marks or curves or whatnot. We are all beautiful and our realistic images should be portrayed in the media.
Social media as well as ads have a huge impact on the way people think. Constantly creating ads that have models with the same size 0 features makes people self-conscious. We need to promote more self-love and less self hate. Dede Howard has created a great way to fight underrepresentation, what will you do?
“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection”- Steve Maraboli