The Black BUT Invisible campaign launched by Mahogany Model Management in 2008 openly challenges the fashion industry for its failure to use black models within all genres of fashion.  This evidently widespread problem throughout fashion has recently been brought to the attention of consumers via July's Italian Vogue issue created to solely feature black models to highlight such discrimination within the industry.  To increase the exposure of this prolonged race discriminatory activity, Mahogany Model Management have created a group on the globally dominating networking site FaceBook called "Italian Vogue All Black Issue" to encourage UK consumers to purchase and tackle the problem. The appeal has already generated over 12,000 supporters and is attracting many more.

The horrendous excuse of "black does not sell" as quoted on www.itzcaribbean.com has been used against models of colour imposing that products modelled by black individuals are less likely to be purchased by consumers.  London Fashion Week failed to allow black models to merely audition for a place on the catwalk at one of the most prestigious fashion events around the globe.  The fact of the UK fashion industry is not even entertaining the use of stunning up and coming black models in photo shoots and live events is just a disgrace and action must be taken.

The current whitewash within fashion must cease to continue, and with the likes of supermodel Jourdan Dunn entering the international model scene, Tara Banks continuing to host America's top model and black beauties Beyonce and Rihanna flooding the music market, how can the fashion industry turn a blind eye in the shocking "industry apartheid" that is currently being practised in the UK today.

Models of all races in this supposed world of equality should be acknowledged and given equal opportunities. Benetton have ensured in their ongoing United Colours of Benetton slogan since the 1980's that discrimination is not in their business model, why can't we see more of this on the High Street?

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