i’m officially a troll. not really, just someone who holds passionate views and speaks about them on the internet. actually, that might be the definition of a troll.
no matter what you call me, the truth is it’s time to speak up about the latest problem with the fashion industry.
for years, folks have called out a lack of diversity on fashion runways and magazines. diverse races, shapes and ages have all taken a backseat to thin, young, white models. lately, it helps when you’re the .02% of the population with a famous last name.
while some brands are making attempts to step outside the restrictive beauty standards, most have a very long way to go. recently, revolve hosted one of its epic trips abroad with some of the most famous influencers on instagram. my first reaction to the campaign was, “damn, guess i’ll never get a major opportunity like this.”
seeing revolve partner with only young skinny white-looking women (and an asian for flavor) made me nauseous. it reminded me of that time i was an internet troll.
i’m a youtube junkie. my girlfriend rolls her eyes every time she hears, “i’m back again with another video…” blasting from the television. however, something hit me like a ton of bricks on one of my recent binges. there were no people of color at any of the sponsored events attended by this major influencer. zip. zero. nada.
so i commented on the painfully obvious. the influencer got mad as hell.
her immediate response was the old familiar: “i have lots of black friends.” without taking time to reflect on the broader issue with the fashion industry, she took my criticism personally. as if i was calling her racist. she might be, but that wasn’t my point.
the issue is systemic. whether in the uk or us, major brands like revolve are actively choosing to work with the same network of influencers with ashamedly limited diversity. women of different skin colors, sizes, ages and abilities are seriously ignored. with influencers, the easy response to this issue is that there are fewer black, brown and curvy women with large social media followings.
however, it’s a catch 22 to expect black, brown and curvy influencers to have a large following when we’re seldom given the same platform to grow our following. it’s similar to the saying, “it takes money to make money.”
the saddest part about this contradiction is major brands and their customers (which are very diverse btw) are missing some of the most amazing digital content creators that exist.
some folks will take this post as a big rant or say, “just stop shopping at xyz problematic brand.” if you believe the former, then this platform isn’t for you. if you believe the latter, then i hear you and agree. however, that places all the responsibility on the folks affected by the issue. what about the influencers profiting from the limited seats at the table?
today more than ever, brands are investing large amounts of their budgets on digital marketing. marketing that then floods our timelines, explore feeds on instagram and ultimately, influences our buying choices. yes, i can choose to no longer shop at revolve, but i can also choose to point out the monolithic influencers who join their campaigns. further, i can unfollow the influencers refusing to take a stand on the lack of diversity in the industry.
ultimately, we need to hold brands, influencers and ourselves accountable. we don’t need another hashtag. we need real change.
jacket, vintage (similar here)
earrings, rachel comey
turtleneck, anthropologie
velvet sock boots, marc fisher
many thanks to hotel indigo in alexandria, virginia for the opportunity to shoot at their hotel. as usual, thanks for supporting the brands that support politics & fashion.
(sorry I commented on the wrong post) I just discovered your blog and I love it, I followed you on Instagram and Bloglovin. I get your position and opinion about the brand(s), but why blaming the influencers? As a blogger, if you are given the opportunity to go to a revolve deluxe trip, would you refuse because Arabs or Asians or tall girls… are not represented?
Author
thanks for reading and the follow! actually, i would refuse to work with a brand that is systematically choosing not to work with diverse groups of people. that’s part of using my privilege to advocate for change. some of these influencers have been on every single trip since revolve started. they’re like gold to the brand and can use this power to collectively or individually call for more seats at the table.
They do work with Asians and latinas if I’m not mistaken. I do speak from a place of sympathy, I am from an ethnicity that is highly stigmatised right now and not represented at all. I am just trying to understand before forming an opinion.
Completely agree. There is so much power in realizing you don’t have to work for places that devalue you and work against your values. It took me years to realize I can make a choice, just in general, in where I work and what I spend my time allowing.
Absolutely. I am just starting blogging and getting into this space and I have found the racism in this industry, unsurprisingly, frustrating. It’s one of those newer industries like the tech world that, though young and fresh is just as racist as the older industries. The systemic oppression just as solidified.
I was listening to a podcast for “influencers” where there were definitely some racism problems with the podcast in general. But in one particular episode, a guest said that some companies are looking for the “All American Girl,” oh and that some are looking to be more multicultural as well, with black and Latina influencers but that other companies just want the All American Girl and she LITERALLY clarified and said, “you know, blonde hair blue eyed.” And I’m like ok so you literally just said some companies are purposefully discriminating. And you found this roundabout way of saying they are only looking for white influencers. And so that means that anyone who isn’t white can’t possibly be “All American?”
It is not at all trolling of you to call out systemic racism. Revolve is trolling! What they’re doing is harmful and literally the effect of their behavior gives way to one symptom of racism: racist internet trolling.
Author
such good points and ditto to all of this! i’m not at all shocked that the influencer you mentioned felt comfortable using “all american” as a code for white.
Most of the points you made here are true, but i think things are gradually changing. Let’s be hopeful that things will get better.