Speaking with the Huffington Post, Enninful notes that while there are “still very few black people,” the American fashion industry has reassessed its approach to fashion. And who else do we have to thank but that certified brick house of a Fierce Lady, Michelle Obama:

“You know, for one of the most influential women in the country to be black. I know that meant a great deal to a lot of black people in the fashion industry. And also now we have Twitter, we have the internet, and I’ve seen so many young black people who are involved in fashion. They’re making their own clothes, they’re styling, they’re taking photographs, and I guess the future generation to come, they’re all racing to become one global fashion industry. That’s what I hope, anyway.”

Enninful goes on to describe working with Franca Sozzani on the now legendary “Black Issue” of Vogue Italia, claiming the editix “put her money where her mouth is”:

“She continued to feature black models, she continued to feature different body types or body shapes. She continued to challenge the norm, which is the question that we’ve been talking about, and I feel that’s what we want to take from W as well. We want to make everybody a part of the after-party.”

It’s kind of ridiculous that it’s 2011 and we’re still discussing racism at all, let alone racism in an industry as forward-thinking and revolutionary as fashion. Andrej Pejic just did double duty in mens and womenswear during São Paulo Fashion Week, after all.

Luckily there are people like Ed Enninful leading the way towards a new ethnically rich and diverse fashion frontier. [HuffPo]

The seeds of the protest were planted in 2008 when an inquiry by São Paulo’s public prosecutor revealed that out of 1,128 models booked for fashion week, only 28 were black. Oranizers  agreed to a voluntary two-year, 10% black model quota — affirmative fashion action — which many designers have reportedly ignored.

Protestors are now calling for a 20% quota in hopes of more accurately representing the Brazilian population, which is 50.8% black. However, that figure means nothing as consumers “still reject the combination of black [models] and luxury clothing”.

At least they do according to Vivian Whiteman, fashion editor of the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo. Whitey, as I like to call her, wrote an article on the Brazilian modeling industry’s rampant racism that included an interview with Bruno Soares, a booker of Afro-Brazilian descent.

“For historical reasons,” claims Soares, “Brazil’s black population has been poor and not a consumer of fashion. This is reflected in the casting.”

But for Frei Davi Santos, that bigoted cup just doesn’t hold water:

“Brazil is a country that still insists on emphasising its European side and discriminating against its beautiful indigenous and Afro-Brazilian populations. We do not want catwalks that look like catwalks in Switzerland or England.”

Seems to me this problem is easily remedied. Gisele in black face. I mean, it worked for Beyoncé. [Guardian]

Priscilla Darolt hit the runways of San Paulo Fashion Week. Incorporating metallics and textured creasing, her collection will be one to watch for trend forecasters prepping for fall.

GALLERY: Priscilla Darolt Fall 2009

São Paulo

After it came to a close earlier this week, the final word on São Paulo Fashion Week was “eclectic”—the urban personalities on display ranged from straight-up feminine to warrior spirit to sexed-up icons to cosplay-inspired collections that could have easily been transplanted to the streets of Tokyo. This last was especially appropriate as this SPFW marked the centennial of the Japanese migration to Brazil, and Kenzo starred as a special guest.

There were, of course, some common themes for the forthcoming Brazilian summer: washed-out hues, delicate fabrics and voluminous silhouettes. Aside from Maria Bonita‘s roomy overalls and Alexandre Herchcovitch‘s military/flower garden collage, emerging label Maria Garcia also made an impression with its girlish mini dresses with a twist. Femininity is in Isabela Capeto‘s blood, and this season she integrated Mexican iconography into her super-delicate embroideries and hand-crafted details. A nod should also be given to Reinaldo Lourenço‘s pretty dolls dressed on delicate latticework dresses.

Continue Reading on JC Report Here.