Sexual Assault In The Modeling Industry

Model Sara Ziff has braved what may soon be a backlash to expose rampant sexual assault in the modeling industry. In the documentary, Picture Me, she referenced a photographer age 45 who made a pass at a 16 year old model - worse her agency said, "she should have slept with him"!!

Picture Me Trailer


Thus far no black models have been named in the documentary, however this problem crosses racial boundaries and ALL models should be aware of what they are willing to accept as normal and unacceptable behavior from agencies, photographers, make up artists, etc. I hope this video helps the models who second guessed their decisions and those who have been too afraid to come out.

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Sessilee Lopez Harpers Bazaar June Issue

*I am out of the country and posts have been extremely sloow. I have acquired internet access -yay- so I'm back*

To the good news: I received my Harpers Bazaar in the mail mid May and was delighted to see a full 10 page spread of nothing but Sessilee!!! I thought I must get this scanned ASAP to post, alas time didn't allow. But lucky us, Sessilee herself post her own picks on her site, SESSILEE. A long with a few other day by day happenings in her fabulous life. So be sure to check her site for updates.

Great Style, Great Price indeed! Nothing in this spread was listed over $1,000 not even $800! Yet it still included Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, Yves Saint Laurent and others but had a sophisticated mix with Gap and Banana Republic. What more can a girl - on something of a budget - ask for!

Here are my other faves!

The landscape was too luscious!

Naomi Campbell Cover Girl for V Magazine's First Swimsuit Issue

If you search through V Magazine archives you will see that Naomi is a favorite {on complaints from us} for the cover and editorial spreads. V magazine has done it's first ever swimsuit issue and Ms. Campbell is their leggy, playful, bunny-esque cover girl! Famed photographer Mario Testino conducted the shoot. Check out a short video of clips of Naomi and the other cover girls at V Mag.

Chanel Iman also snagged a piece - she's speaks on her admiration for her mentor Tyra and her desires to enter the acting world. Look out Hollywood!

Liya Takes Notice of More Black Models on the Runway

We reported last week about The Guardian’s article on the effect Michelle Obama has on the fashion industry. Liya Kebede also weighed in at the Cookie magazine's Smart Cookie Awards last week saying,

"I think there’s a lot more black models working and I think that’s because of having Michelle and Barack out there. I mean there’s been this issue, raised last year — how there wasn’t enough black models on the runways — but I think Barack and Michelle have really helped us, hopefully forever, to get over this hurdle for black models."

See the full article at nymag’s the cut.

Does Michelle Obama Help Black Models?

According to Paul Harris of The Observer, a revolution has erupted in the fashion industry! Three black women has graced the cover of Vogue magazine consecutively including Michelle Obama's March 2009 cover. Paul is crediting Michelle with an increase in awareness of black women in fashion. The historical Italian Vogue cover may have been the beginning but Mrs. Obama has taken over the baton.

Michelle has been a force to reckon with in the retail industry, instantly increasing the sales of J.Crew and turning rookie designer Jason Wu into an overnight sensation. In addition Michelle has made it a point to mix budget, bridge and high-end designers in her collection.

Beyonce April Cover

Liya Kebede May Cover

Read the entire article at The Guardian.