Iman has spoken about the specific brands that she feels are failing to use "models of colour" often enough in their shows and campaigns, but has qualified her criticism, saying: "We’re not calling them racist, we’re saying the act was racist." Celine, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Chanel, Armani, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Victoria Beckham and Marc by Marc Jacobs were all identified as failing in her eyes.
Iman and Naomi Campbell have both spoken several times on the subject since forming the Diversity Coalition with former model agent turned campaigner Bethann Hardison in order to highlight racial prejudices in the fashion industry. The trio sent an open letter to fashion’s governing bodies in New York, London, Paris and Milan before show season began to ask for support on the issue.
"Phoebe Philo; she’s a cool girl. But Céline has never had a coloured person showing in their collection. Ever," Hardison told yesterday’s Evening Standard. "And yet they have the best accessories; every black woman who has money buys her accessories."
"Not me," counters Iman. "I walk the walk. I can get another It-bag. I have my wallet. I make a conscious decision not to buy that stuff. "What we are asking for is that you are chosen based on your talent, on your beauty," Naomi Campbell told Channel 4 News last night. "Not on the colour of your skin."