New Interview Editorial Featuring Daria Werbowy Stirs Up Racist Allegations

I don't agree at all...racist would imply that this is degrading to the black models, which it is not. They're all dressed pretty hip and it has a feeling of a party on humid, summers night in the islands - atleast that's that what i'm getting. Plus, this has implications that Daria is enjoying her company and vice versa ha. Being a bi-racial fashion photographer this is awesome to see the social walls of interracial blending in magazines. Sure, a spread or a cover with a black model(s) is amazing but this is setting the bar higher. What if it was all Asian or Spanish models (which has been done) surrounding her, would the perspective change? I just think people are still awkward about white+black, which is unfortunate. People often masquerade their discomfort or disagreement of anything biracial by flagging it as being "racsist" or "offensive", when it mostly comes from non-blacks. And I agree with another comment I read, that if this was that bluntly inbapprioiate, those involved wouldn't have consented to being apart of this.

I agree with the commenters! They had the perfect opportunity to use the black models in this editorial spread, for something more conducive to fashion and the arts. I'm so tired of mags playing into the exotic-safari-theme. This concept has been overused and moreover, racist on so many levels. Let's move on! You're better than that Interview Magazine. Exoticism ≠ Innovation/avant-garde!

When I caught a look at this shoot, I had and still have a similar reaction to the comments mentioned. I feel there was such a better way to pull off a similar feel without being ridiculously ignorant to the stereotypes that we should be working to disprove, not support.

@jrozier this isn't "biracial"

It's Black vs. White, Good vs. Bad. These images suggest "better than (white) vs. not good enough (black)" notions. When you look at the images above, you immediately notice Daria Werbowy, not the black models around her. The placement of the models prove this to be true. Daria is the focus, not the black models-they are her accessories.

If you can't see that, then I am going to assume that you are oblivious to racial themes that are constantly used in editorial spreads-sad, just sad

This is just further proof that the fashion industry is full of ignorant, outdated, non-creatives.

As a person of African descent I applaud Interview Magazine, Karl Templer, Mikael Jansson and all other creatives involved in this shoot for putting black models in their issue. As 'jrozier' intelligently pointed out "racist would imply that this is degrading to the black models, which it is not." Instead, I find The Fashion Spot's comment - "white person enters into strange and exotic world of brown people" - far more offensive. What is so strange and exotic about a white person entering a room full of "brown people" may I ask? That perception alone is extraordinarily close minded and I honestly feel as though this spread has simply been misinterpreted as something it's not. Personally, I am excited to see so many black models in a single spread and hope that it inspires other publications to take a step forward and embrace models of color in their own fashion editorials.

All models in all photographs are "props," and Daria is the biggest prop in the spread.

@iheartinterview
Regarding your comment "What is so strange and exotic about a white person entering a room full of "brown people" may I ask? "

That is exactly what the person on the The Fashion Spot was pointing out, and I think you failed to notice it. Notice the title and tagline of the ed. The editorial seems to send the message that a place inhabited my black/brown people would be somewhere you would get "lost" in; somewhere wild, exotic and dangerous. The TFS comment was just condoning the blatant use of these stereotypes in the editorial. If they only wanted to create a steamy and sensual atmosphere surely they could have gone about it without using dozens of uncredited black models in tribal-like attire in the background.

Personally I think that the editorial is very well styled and the makeup for both Daria and the other black models is great, however they definitely could have gone about it better.

The black models are props if you choose to see them as props. As an avid fan of Daria, these shots aren't my favorite of her. For me, there's more of a story/emotion coming from the black models. Daria's shots are all very similar.

As someone who is half black, I'm so tired of people pointing fingers at every little thing related to race. If the focal model was black with white 'prop' models, what would you all say then? Or how about if the models were of other ethnicities and skin colors? Is it really that hard to stray from the race game?

Can a white model ever be photographed amongst black models and the topic of race not be brought up? Or vice versa? The whole focus is what Daria is wearing, that's the whole point of the spread. To use minor models as a "prop" has always been pivotal to create a story. Men have been a prop for decades. People look too much into a picture and don't even see it for what it's intention is. I love this photo set, it's stunning and erotic, I want to be in there with them.

the editorial and art direction is stunning...
would have been even better if they ditched daria and just used all black models, or replaced her with chanel iman. the colors, tones etc. would have been more dramatic. i just think daria ruins it by being like a big white elephant is a sea of exotic.

MODELS ARE PROPS
ahahah they aren't like capturing anyone's soul and they aren't capturing BLACK PEOPLE AS A RACE, i think the editorial is BEAUTIFUL and im pretty sure the model's don't have a problem, their getting paid, your just mad because your on the other end and you see all the negative in the fashion world. stop complaining a model is a prop for clothes, if we had more attractive robots we'd probably use them.

I don't like it at all. The feel is very dystopic and they all look dead-eyed and miserable. As for her being the only white in a sea of black, it just accentuates a feeling of her not belonging and is uncomfortable and creates distance. The clothes don't even shine through, I just don't get it.

@jrozier, actually, if she were surrounded by Asians or Latinos, that would reinforce the argument that the other models are simply there as they exotic "Other." My objections (and I think I can also speak for some of the other commenters here who object to the editorial) are based precisely on this. American culture has a long history of viewing/placing people of color as the Other in relation to whites (who are the "norm") and rather than "setting the bar higher," this editorial is in fact simply reinforcing these notions. Many articles and books have discussed the concept of the "Other"; these include the author Bell Hooks and other cultural critics for anyone who is interested in reading about the topic.

i hope this doesn't make me racist, but i would actually LOVE to see this editorial in reverse. a backdrop of all white models with the focal point being a beautiful african american model. i guess i can see the argument for the shoot since the way it's set up it draws your attention to the 1 person who's different...not arguing whether or not it's racist, but i think this has been done before. what hasn't is a group of white models with a black model as the focal point. but would that be construed as racist? i imagine the color contrasts would look very interesting and if the white models were stoic and the black model was full of expression it could be much more than this shoot...

I think the degradation of the black models doesn't come purely from the fact that they are used as props, though that does indicate something about their perceived value by the people who put this together, but rather from the way they are portrayed in the spread. These people seem to live in a slum - check out the tin walls, exposed light bulbs, the busted up car, mismatched and torn clothing on the black models, and their generally depressed expressions. The story of this spread seems to be about Daria arriving in some impoverished, black region and getting off on it. The black models aren't just presented as anonymous, they're presented as a lower class of people and if that isn't a form of detriment then I don't know what is.

@Nikkeeb

I would love to similar spread as well. How about we take one of those beautiful black girls in this cast (preferably Kelly Moreira) and put her in an editorial where she is surrounded by white models who are exhibiting suburban air all the while she is wearing expensive Gucci, Versace, Lanvin clothing. How about white men clad in Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren fawn over the desired, dark skinned model as she blankly stares into the camera as if to relay to the reader that she is aware of male attention but is unamused.

Sorry! It will never happen. Fashion magazines are obsessed with white, European standards of beauty. Everywhere the young, white woman goes she is to be the center of attention, the epitome of what is to be desired. So, this spread with Daria is not shocking. Why would it be? People of color have always been used as mere backdrops to intensify the focus on the what is to be considered beautiful: young, pale, gaunt, white women.

Think of it this way: foreground (important), background (less important). We all know this, and in the most elementary way, this spread reinforces that. White = unique. Black = all the same, an unidentified mass, etc. Of course we can choose to see this shoot however we like, but the point is, whoever put it together, whether consciously, with malicious intent or not, is reproducing that centuries old comparison where white is superior, black is inferior. Lots of fashion people seem to think, "Hey this will look good this way," without thinking of the content of what they think will look good. As to the commenter who said, "If the focal model were black with white 'prop' models..." Uh, yeah. When have we EVER seen that? There's a reason! Cuz black models don't tend to get the spotlight. And if we ever do see that shoot, it will be because someone is aware of the controversy over these tired old shoots.

I totally agree with the points made above. I was so angered by all of this that I wrote a post on about it on my blog,

http://glowingdoll.blogspot.com/2010/05/black-models-used-as-backdrop-fo...

I absolutely support what others have mentioned. There is no particular racism encountered in the photos. all of them look perfectly stunning to me. I once made an essay
on racism back in high school, and I made it a point, that such thing should stop. All people are equal, we breathe the same air, and step on the same ground. No race is actually above another.