Model Nykhor Paul, who recently told i-D, “I represent my country and all the beautiful South Sudanese girls” has hit out at the fashion industry – and make-up artists in particular – for their ignorance. She captioned an Instagram post with the following critique of the racism she’s encountered:
“Dear white people in the fashion world! Please don’t take this the wrong way but it’s time you people get your shit right when it comes to our complexion! Why do I have to bring my own makeup to a professional show when all the other white girls don’t have to do anything but show up wtf! Don’t try to make me feel bad because I am blue black its 2015 go to Mac, Bobbi Brown, Makeup forever, Iman cosmetic, black opal, even Lancôme and Clinique carried them plus so much more. there’s so much options our there for dark skin tones today. A good makeup artist would come prepare and do there research before coming to work because often time you know what to expect especially at a show! Stop apologizing it’s insulting and disrespectful to me and my race it doesn’t help, seriously! Make an effort at least! That goes for NYC, London, Milan, Paris and Cape Town plus everywhere else that have issues with black skin tones. Just because you only book a few of us doesn’t mean you have the right to make us look ratchet. I’m tired of complaining about not getting book as a black model and I’m definitely super tired of apologizing for my blackness!!!! Fashion is art, art is never racist it should be inclusive of all not only white people, shit we started fashion in Africa and you modernize and copy it! Why can’t we be part of fashion fully and equally?”
The model has previously made a call for more people of color in the fashion world and said “please don’t cover up my natural beauty with all that dead hair. Unless it looks amazing.” Paul has been in campaigns for Louis Vuitton, covered Elle South Africa and walked for Haider Ackermann, Vivienne Westwood and Rick Owens.
She works with charity We Are Nilotic, a collective of international South Sudanese models and women who use their voice and influence to promote peace among the 64 tribes of South Sudan.
READ our interview with Nykhor Paul here
Credits
Text Stuart Brumfitt
Photography Nick Dorey
Styling Jack Borkett