The Power of Diversity in Beauty: Naomi Campbell’s Advocacy
Image Courtesy: Vogue
Whether it’s Vogue or TIME magazine, supermodel Naomi Campbell has done it all. The impact she had can only be fully recognized by acknowledging the beauty standard that was prominent in her prime years—and realizing how she dismantled it. The early 20th century marked the expansion of leisure time, to which many white middle-class women devoted themselves to shopping, reading, and, most of all, fashion magazines. It was pop culture, and it was there that women discovered the pencil-thin bodies, perfect noses, and porcelain skin that became known as the beauty standard. Besides the numerous atrocities enacted upon women of color at the hands of the elite in our society, the frequent denial of darker skin tones on magazine covers gave the impression that black beauty could not be celebrated. It was all too common for women of darker complexion in the modeling industry to struggle with a lack of opportunities. Despite that being the reality of London-born star Naomi Campbell, that didn’t stop her from being scouted at 15 and gracing the cover of Vogue France—the first black model to do so.
She continued to tear down the walls erected against women of color in the fashion industry with her flawless complexion and elegant persona. Her mainstream success made it clear that black models could not only be beautiful but that their beauty could be revered by the masses. The impact of her overwhelming 37-year-long career on pop culture cannot be understated. She starred in the music video for Michael Jackson’s “In the Closet,” strutted down the runway in Victoria Secret’s prestigious fashion show, was named the British Fashion Awards “Fashion Icon,” appeared on the cover of over 500 magazines, and was named to the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” list by People magazine in 1991, among other accomplishments.
Image Courtesy: Michael Jackson
Unsurprisingly, her pioneering achievements and striking features became a symbol of change for black women in the modeling industry. A lack of diversity had always been present, and Naomi was always open to speaking on it. In an interview with ES Magazine, Campbell shared, “People say, ‘Oh, you’ve got beautiful skin,’ and yet I’ve never done [a beauty campaign].” Why? The author of the interview wrote that Campbell responded with a look that said, “You know why.” Throughout her long career, Campbell has addressed the need for more black representation in the beauty industry.
In 1988, Campbell joined other supermodels to form the “Black Girls Coalition,” a group devoted to addressing the lack of black models and advocating for more opportunities and equal treatment. Whenever given the chance, Campbell attempted to create more space for people who look like her in her field. On her social media in 2017, Campbell publicly expressed disdain for the lack of representation under Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman. Campbell wrote that she looks forward to an “inclusive and diverse staff.” She continued her vocal protest in 2019, advocating for more black photographers and stylists within Vogue, which led to the creation of Vogue’s Global Diversity Initiative. Her continued support for black creators and artists has led to more black representation and pioneered the expansion of the beauty standard.
Image Courtesy: Unstoppable Yes You
In a Reuters interview, Campbell explains, “In so many ways, but most importantly the diversity… It’s absolutely improved, I can’t say it hasn’t. I do think there’s always more room for improvement… There’s still some ways to go.” As the beauty community continues to grow, hopefully, we can expand the limitations set by its predecessors and embrace the variety of forms beauty can take.
Strike Out,
Writer: Mishalynn Brown
Editor: Noelle Knowlton
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