It is woefully widely accepted that the European fashion weeks, London, Paris and Milan, have little on-runway diversity in comparison to the New York shows.
Whilst there are always exceptions - Simone Rocha showed beautiful age diversity during her AW19 show in London, and most brands have vastly improved their racial representation in casting - it is New York that leads the way in consistently placing pregnant women, older women, disabled women, trans women and ‘plus size’ women on the catwalk.
Thankfully, last night, Zendaya’s collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger showed that the French capital can compete too.
For her TommyNow SS19 collaboration, the Gen-Z actress invited 59 black women between the ages of 18 to 70 to strut down a Soul Train-style runway in epic, ’70s-inspired outfits.
Zendaya told ELLE before the show of her inspiration: ‘I want to make a show inspired by the women who made it possible for me to be in the position where I am now. Honestly, I just wanted to say “thank you” to them through this show. I said to Tommy, "If we do a show, this is what it needs to be about." And Tommy said, "Great. Go for it." And he actually meant it. I mean, look.'
Look indeed, it seemed like almost every important black model of the moment - from an afro-donning Leomie Anderson boogying in a swimsuit and platforms, to Winnie Harlow slinking down the runway in lurex - was in attendance.
Perhaps more excitingly, however, the American brand invited the models who shaped the ‘70s to join in too.
Trailblazer Pat Cleveland, draped in rainbow lurex, swirled her way down the catwalk, whilst Beverly Johnson, the first black woman on the cover of French ELLE, sauntered down the runway in powder blue.
Model-turned music icon Grace Jones garnered gasps from the crowd, as they watched the 70 year-old Jamaican-American get down to her one of her greatest hits ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’.
The collection, available to buy now, and its theatrics, evidenced that diversity needn't be worthy and that great clothes with a message can look darn good too.
