Light Skinned Models Versus Dark Skinned Models - Is There a Preference?

Models come in all shades of the rainbow.Maxim recently released its annual "Hot 100" list and
Supermodel Tyra Banks recently said that she is tryingonly seven black women made it. Rihanna broke the
to expand the idea of what the fashion industrytop 10 at number eight. Zoe Saldana, Ciara, Beyonce
considers beautiful. According to her, black models withand Christina Milian were numbers 29, 32, 52, and 55
lighter skin are deemed more commercial, whereasrespectively. Gabrielle Union and Michelle Obama, who
darker-skinned black models are considered more highare darker than the other women, came in at 71 and
fashion.93 much lower on the list.
Miss Banks is on to something here. If you turn on theHere's some more proof!
television and watch the R&B and hip hop videosIda Ljungqvist was crowned Playmate of the Year
you'll notice that the majority of the women in theseand she is the first African-European to hold that title.
videos are light-skinned. Dark skinned women areShe to is light skinned.
featured as well in music videos, but to get the sameMen's magazines such as XXL and King are both
kind of attention that their counterparts get they muchtargeted to black men and they mainly feature light
be well endowed. Now, turn to a major televisionskinned models. Occasionally they feature dark skinned
network and you'll see commercials with spokesmodels but they tend to either be famous or well
models such as Beyonce, Rihanna, and Halle Berryendowed.
representing major cosmetic lines.Tyra Banks says she makes it a point to showcase
I am gong with the facts. I'm not saying it is right orbeautiful dark skinned women on America's Next Top
wrong, but it is what it is.Model. She feels that it is important to let all of the
It's Fashion Week in New York City and on theyoung girls growing up know that Black is Beautiful and
runaways are Chanel Iman, Selita Ebanks, and Arlenisit comes in a variety of shades.
Sosa. These are the light skinned models that getWhile the old stereotype of light skinned is perceived
booked by all the top designers. The only dark skinnedbetter than dark skinned is not going away anytime
model burning up the runaway that is in heavy rotationsoon, it is important to be confident in the skin that you
is Alek Wek and the designers love her because herare in.
skin is flawless. More recently, she has become anJust like full figured models are no longer taboo in the
entrepreneur and sells beautiful high-end purses.fashion industry, dark skinned models will continue to
There is a pattern here...knock down the doors until this becomes mainstream.