Afro-Latina supermodel Joan Smalls has gone one step ahead of all else in supporting the anti-racism movement across the world. She pledged half her wages from the rest of the year 2020 to the Black Lives Matter organizations and initiatives, and also urged the rest of the fashion industry to do the same.
In 2011, Smalls was named the first Latina model to be the face of the famous brand Estee Lauder’s global marketing campaign. The Puerto Rico-born supermodel has also worked with top brands such as Gucci, Alexander Wang, and Tom Ford over her decade-long career. She has also consistently been ranked among the highest-paid models in the world. However, unfortunately, despite all her talent, fame and renown, Smalls has not been exempt from racism in the fashion industry.
In a video message that she posted on Instagram recently, Smalls rebuked the fashion industry, saying “I see agencies, magazines and brands posting black screens on their Instagram accounts. What does that really mean? What is the fashion industry actually going to do about it? Is this just another trend?”
“This industry that profits from our black and brown bodies, our culture for constant inspiration, our music and our images for their visuals have tip-toed around the issues. You are part of the cycle that perpetuates these conscious behaviors,” said Smalls, adding that many “who claim to be all about diversity and inclusivity jumped on a bandwagon because social media was holding you accountable for your lack of acknowledgement of us.”
Her initiative was applauded by her fellow models such as Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, Lily Aldridge, and Karen Elson, among others.
And rightly so.
This is a wonderful move by Smalls and we hope that other models also join the fray soon!
1