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Black Top Model Redid Her Own Makeup And Hair 10 Minutes Before Walking The Runway Because The Makeup Artists Failed
Black Top Model Redid Her Own Makeup And Hair 10 Minutes Before Walking The Runway Because The Makeup Artists Failed
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Black Top Model Redid Her Own Makeup And Hair 10 Minutes Before Walking The Runway Because The Makeup Artists Failed

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Model Leomie Anderson was first scouted when she was just 14, walking home from school in south London. At 17, Anderson was already walking for Marc Jacobs. Since then, she has built an impressive portfolio and even became the first Black British Victoria’s Secret Angel.

But despite all of her accolades and achievements and the fact that it’s 2021, Anderson’s career is still affected by her race.

A week ago, the model uploaded a video to her social media, revealing her experience at a runway show where the glam team was so ill-equipped to work with her skin tone and hair type that she had to do it herself.

More info: Instagram | TikTok | Twitter

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    28-year-old model and fashion entrepreneur Leomie Anderson was first scouted when she was just 14

    Image credits: leomieanderson

    Everything happened during the Christian Cowan runway show at New York Fashion Week last month.

    First, a makeup artist applied a foundation that really didn’t fit the model and if that wasn’t enough, another artist failed to rectify it. Anderson explained she “felt ugly AF” and redid her own face in 10 minutes before stepping on the podium.

    The recording also captured how her hair was roughly handled until a team of three hairstylists descended to dry and style it.

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    The experience left Anderson feeling that she “wanted to go home,” and she pleaded for fashion houses to hire more black hair and makeup artists so nobody would have to go through this again.

    But despite her impressive resume and the fact that it’s 2021, her career is still affected by her race

    Recently, Anderson shared a video with her online followers to show that “being a black model is doing other people’s jobs and not being paid for the extra work”

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    Anderson’s clip has racked up over 3 million combined views on TikTok and Twitter

    @leomieandersonAnd this is why I carry a full makeup kit wherever I go for work #blackmodel#modellife#modeltok#blackmakeup#fyp#leomieanderson♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod

    The whole ordeal reminded me of what model and filmmaker Adesuwa Aighewi shared with Vogue in a talk on racism and privilege in the industry.

    “It’s funny how, like, there’s different realities as a model,” she said. ” Like, if you were not a black model, you just get to be a model, get to be sexy, get to be on yachts, get to do whatever it is that you wanna do, and be carefree. If you’re a black model, all of a sudden, you’re the pioneer for your race.”

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    Model Londone Myers shared a similar experience at Paris Fashion Week in 2017, and the hashtag #BlackModelsMatter created by model Ashley Chew routinely highlights what black models have to deal with in their line of work.

    However, according to a diversity analysis by the Fashion Spot, last month’s New York Fashion Week Spring 2022 was the second-most-diverse season on record with 55.5% models of color. But even though the Christian Cowan runway show featured an array of models from different ethnicities and featuring various body types, the issues raised by Anderson make it obvious that there’s still room for improvement within the business.

    And sadly, it isn’t an anomaly

    Image credits: leomieanderson

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    Image credits: leomieanderson

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    As others responded to it with more similar stories

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    People think the fashion industry needs to do better

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

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    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Author, Senior Writer

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

    Denis Tymulis

    Denis Tymulis

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    Denis is a photo editor at Bored Panda. After getting his bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design, he tried to succeed in digital design, advertising, and branding. Also, Denis really enjoys sports and loves everything related to board sports and water.

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    Denis Tymulis

    Denis Tymulis

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    Denis is a photo editor at Bored Panda. After getting his bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design, he tried to succeed in digital design, advertising, and branding. Also, Denis really enjoys sports and loves everything related to board sports and water.

    What do you think ?
    Lauren Caswell
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One commenter had a great point: "they don't teach colour theory for dark skin because it 'isn't common' ". I mean come on. What year are we living in?! If they are teaching colour theory for skin it should be baseline all tones, so even if you don't need the skills often, you have them and can brush up on what you've already learned how to do 🤷‍♀️ Edit: the same thing should be applied to hair stylists who are students, being taught the full range. It's clearly needed on both fronts

    Otter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've heard that modern cosmetology schools offer training on all hair types, but a bit of training in school doesn't make a person an expert. And a model at Fashion Week definitely wants an expert!

    Load More Replies...
    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly, I'd say this is mostly not the makeup artist's fault. It's the fault of a system that only teaches them how to do straight hair and light skin.

    Andy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agree, it's the fault of the organisers of these events. If you are booking black models, you should be making sure that you also book the makeup artists who are able to cater to them, it's in your own interest that they look good! Doing this would also build demand for the skills and lead to upskilling of existing makeup artists to fill the roles

    Load More Replies...
    Otter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But godawful unflattering makeup is a Fashion Week tradition!! The makeup artists think they're there to shock the other makeup artists, not to make the models look beautiful! (I have no excuses for the hair people

    Load More Comments
    Lauren Caswell
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One commenter had a great point: "they don't teach colour theory for dark skin because it 'isn't common' ". I mean come on. What year are we living in?! If they are teaching colour theory for skin it should be baseline all tones, so even if you don't need the skills often, you have them and can brush up on what you've already learned how to do 🤷‍♀️ Edit: the same thing should be applied to hair stylists who are students, being taught the full range. It's clearly needed on both fronts

    Otter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've heard that modern cosmetology schools offer training on all hair types, but a bit of training in school doesn't make a person an expert. And a model at Fashion Week definitely wants an expert!

    Load More Replies...
    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly, I'd say this is mostly not the makeup artist's fault. It's the fault of a system that only teaches them how to do straight hair and light skin.

    Andy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agree, it's the fault of the organisers of these events. If you are booking black models, you should be making sure that you also book the makeup artists who are able to cater to them, it's in your own interest that they look good! Doing this would also build demand for the skills and lead to upskilling of existing makeup artists to fill the roles

    Load More Replies...
    Otter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But godawful unflattering makeup is a Fashion Week tradition!! The makeup artists think they're there to shock the other makeup artists, not to make the models look beautiful! (I have no excuses for the hair people

    Load More Comments
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