Comments on: Colour is beautiful

By: TeaCup

TeaCup — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:39:30 +0000

Hi Rob, Yes there is a rise in many publications, tv shows and radio slots that specifically target particular races. There are over 50 different newspapers circulating in Australia just in the Chinese language. And lets not forget online – there are plenty of people who access information from sites that are from their own home country or in their native tongue for something more familiar, because of the language barrier or simply to keep up to date with what is happening with their culture.
Although, Caucasian races are still the majority in many western countries, ethnic groups are largely on the rise – in Sydney, Australia for example, 40% of the population is considered to be from an ethnic community. And some companies are starting to realise the power and the combined buying power they hold like marketing agency Leba based in Victoria specialise in marketing to ethnic groups: http://www.leba.com.au

By: Rob Kingston

Rob Kingston — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:59:38 +0000

If it’s market driven, you would expect to see a similar proportion of races in the spreads as there are in the market they’re targeting.

Maybe there is an opportunity to market magazines which are designed to appeal to specific races?

By: TeaCup

TeaCup — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:34:00 +0000

Completely true Becx – I personally don’t believe it is racism – it’s very easy to use the blame game as an excuse for a lot of things. The predominant western models reflect what we as consumers respond to best and as a marketer, our job is to pick what will receive the best outcomes. However, I do feel for the ethnic girls (or boys) who are trying to make it in the fashion industry and how hard it must be for them because of this.

By: becx

becx — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:29:42 +0000

Wow, that’s a passionate… long… post. I hear your concerns but also know that it can be hard to maintain perspective when an issue is close to our hearts. To be blunt, and you did reference it, it’s commercially-based. But it’s not that black is seen as inferior or less beautiful. On the contrary. But to be chosen for most fashion/beauty layouts, pictures need to tap into our aspiration – whether editorial or advertising, their aim is to sell. Sell us an idea. A possibility. That could be us. And what colour are most of ‘us’? We might appreciate the beauty of the black model but we won’t mistake her for ourselves, or imagine we could become her. So while I personally would love to see more non-Caucasians in fashion, there is a lot standing in the way. And it’s not racism. Much love x

By: Taylor

Taylor — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:03:38 +0000

Such an interesting concept. I think such an influential business such as the fashion industry needs to step it up a bit more and produce coverage of women from all backgrounds.