When "Big Lips Don't Work:" The Struggles Of A Black Model (short doc)
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Two minutes into the short documentary film The Colour Of Beauty, a modeling agent says: "When [a model] comes in with big eyes, big nose, big lips… Things that are common traits in African-Americans — it doesn't work."
The man, Justin Peery, continues: "But for those lucky few girls who have white girl features…" and trails off. It's clear that those are the women who get booked. "It's kind of messed up, but that's the way the industry is," he says.
Peery represents the gorgeous Renée Thompson, a model who is originally from Jamaica but moved to New York from Toronto, and has been modeling for 10 years. At the ripe old age of 24, she is at a make-or-break moment in her career, and nearing an age when many models are forced into retirement. The film focuses on Renée, and her dream — to "kill" at fashion week.
still, the film is an interesting look at the hardships, stereotypes and uncomfortable, race-oriented conversations that shadow black models trying to make it in the fashion industry. And while it's amazing to hear Renée speak so eloquently about her determination in the face of these obstacles, one of the best quotes in the film is from a hairstylist named Mann:
"I think fashion is five steps behind real America, real Canada. There's been way more progress in personal and interpersonal relationships between the races than there has in fashion. Fashion is stuck in 1955, and I don't know what it's going to take to get them to move forward."
The man, Justin Peery, continues: "But for those lucky few girls who have white girl features…" and trails off. It's clear that those are the women who get booked. "It's kind of messed up, but that's the way the industry is," he says.
Peery represents the gorgeous Renée Thompson, a model who is originally from Jamaica but moved to New York from Toronto, and has been modeling for 10 years. At the ripe old age of 24, she is at a make-or-break moment in her career, and nearing an age when many models are forced into retirement. The film focuses on Renée, and her dream — to "kill" at fashion week.
still, the film is an interesting look at the hardships, stereotypes and uncomfortable, race-oriented conversations that shadow black models trying to make it in the fashion industry. And while it's amazing to hear Renée speak so eloquently about her determination in the face of these obstacles, one of the best quotes in the film is from a hairstylist named Mann:
"I think fashion is five steps behind real America, real Canada. There's been way more progress in personal and interpersonal relationships between the races than there has in fashion. Fashion is stuck in 1955, and I don't know what it's going to take to get them to move forward."
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- Film, Fashion, Fashion Glam, Vogue, 2 more
