With black models always demanding for more inclusivity in the fashion industry, it’s no secret that the fashion industry has a serious discrimination problem — a problem if not tackled now will continue to linger till eternity. And the best way to raise a voice against it? This Liberian-born, L.A based model and blogger, Deddeh Howard, is sending a message to the fashion industry, proving that whatever white models can do, she can do the exact same thing.
RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Howard spent three months with her photographer boyfriend Raffael Dickreuter to re-create top fashion campaigns that featured the likes of Candice Swanepoel, Gisele Bündchen, Gigi Hadid, and more, and the results are amazing. She titled the project Black Mirror which was launched on her website.
RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
As she pointed out, “I’m personally fighting for more diversity. In a time where Black people too often are in the media for being underrepresented at important events such as the Oscars or make headlines for being targeted by the police, I felt it was time to do something positive and inspiring about my race.”
RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Howard, however, told Elle she started modeling at 18 and has been rejected for opportunities because of her skin color “crushed” her at that young age. “To be told that there were only one or two Black girls like Naomi [Campbell] and Iman to represent me, it was just very damaging to my image. I always felt like I didn’t fit in or like the white girl was more beautiful than I am,” she recalls. “It just really affected my self-esteem growing up.”
RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
She also said she’s been turned down by agencies because they told her they already have a black model. “What really frustrated me was the look that they gave me. They looked me in the eyes and told me, ‘Wow you’re striking and beautiful and we totally think you can walk, but we have someone black already.”
RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Looking into one of her recreated campaign images of Kate Moss and Candice Swanepoel, Howard said, “We wanted to show the world that whatever she can do, I can do the exact same thing. The way she curves her body, I can curve my body the exact same way—if you need a sexy, diverse model, there is a sexy, diverse model. You just need to include her.”
RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
Just like Ashley Graham fights against the discrimination of plus-size fashion, Deddeh Howard, on the other hand, is personally fighting for more diversity. And we ask, how long will this discrimination continue? Keep scrolling for more images:
RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
RAFFAEL DICKREUTER
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Something need to be done.skin color does.not reduce our creativity. We can do better only if the opportunity. Blacks are beautiful and elegant.