Source: Oxygen

The lack of diversity in the fashion industry seems to be a never-ending conversation, as it appears that Black models are always being slapped in the face by casting directors and designers who make it obvious that they have a specific “Black girl quota,” which they refuse to exceed. Earlier this week, model Chanel Iman told The Sunday Times that she was no stranger to racism in the fashion world.

 “A few times I got excused by designers who told me, ‘We already found one Black girl. We don’t need you anymore.’ I felt very discouraged. When someone tells you, ‘We don’t want you because we already have one of your kind,’ it’s really sad,” she regretfully revealed.

It appears that instances such as this one have caused young, up and coming models of color to want to disassociate themselves with their ethnicity, just so that they have more of a competitive edge in the industry. It was rather heartbreaking to watch Devyn, a contestant on Naomi Campbell’s modeling competition, The Face, reveal that she doesn’t consider herself a “Black girl model,” during an interview with Wendy Williams, which was seemingly a part of one of the competitive tasks given to contestants by the show’s panelists. The first red flag that appeared during Devyn’s interview was when Wendy asked her what advantage she believed that she had over her competitor Ebony, who just so happened to have darker skin.

” I feel like I have an international look and I have a story that can relate to everyone,” Devyn replied.

While her response seemed a bit suspect and a tad slighting, the way she answered the next question was mind-boggling and sent Naomi Campbell off the edge. When Wendy asked “Is it hard to be a Black girl model?”, Devyn responded:

” I don’t really consider myself a Black girl model. I know what my ethnicity is, but I’m fair-skinned and I feel like I have an international look.”

The moment those words left Devyn’s mouth, Naomi Campbell could be heard in the background, going off.

“What the f**k does she mean? That’s a disgrace. She’s a Black girl,” Naomi said to the other judges.

Since the airing of her highly criticized comment, Devyn took to her Twitter page to apologize to offended fans and suggest that the producers over at Oxygen edited her response.

Is “international look” the new code word for fair enough to pass the brown paper bag test?

Turn the page for footage of the interview. What are your thoughts on this? Was Devyn’s response misinterpreted? 

source: coolspotters.com

This isn’t the first appearance of the ombre trend on the scene, but it sure has gained a strong following. The trend has bounced from clothing, to nails, and, most recently, landed on hair. The look was originally worn by women that were growing out their light hair color or by those that were a bit lazy with the touch ups. Well, looks like they have the last laugh because the ombre style has evolved into a purposeful style that many celebs are showing off on the red carpets. Go figure!

Teyana Taylor (pictured above) looks great as she pushed the trend to the extreme with pastels, but the rest of our list is full of trendsetters that embrace more natural hues. Let’s all lighten up and get inspired!

For most black folks, the hype around the Victoria Secret Fashion Show was about the entertainment—Jay Z, Kanye West, and Nicki Minaj. Many of us still wanted to see pretty panties and that $2.5 million bra we knew Meranda Kerr would be wearing, but if you tuned in hoping to see women who looked like you—at least in skin tone–you went to the wrong place.

Chanel Iman held it down for black women on last night’s airing, and noticeably looked to be having a great time backstage. Puerto Rican and black model Joan Smalls and Brazilian beauty Lais Ribeiro also added color to the show but beyond that, the scene was a sea of blondes and brunettes. I wasn’t sure if I was being too sensitive about the show’s whitewashing when I turned away—it’s not as though there have ever been a slew of black models participating—but there was also a great deal of discussion on twitter about whether there would ever be more women of color in the show. Some also noted that none of the black models were interviewed backstage.

There was plenty of black star power on the music stage, though. Nicki Minaj’s eccentric style definitely fit in well with the Club Pink segment of the show and Yeezy performing his hit “Stronger” in honor of his late mother Donda West saying, “In 2007 I was supposed to perform this song on this show, and I lost my superhero. Now she is my super angel,” was a touching tribute. Later, he and Jay Z got the crowd hype with their hit “N****s in Paris,” but the overall set just made me wonder if the message was it’s OK for you to entertain us, but like Lucy, you can’t be in the show.

Check out last night’s performances below. What did you think of the 2011 Victoria Secret Fashion Show overall? Were you disappointed in the lack of black models?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

Our black celebrity news partner Necole Bitchie has awesome pics of the black stars who attended the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday of this week. Madame Noire has already reported on the plan for performances by Kanye West and Nicki Minaj — but who knew African-American stars like Tyson and Maxwell would be there in full effect? While some of the fashions in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show are questionable (and some of it is cute), there is nothing like a fabulous party full of beautiful black stars to give you that daily dose of glam. Check out these choice pics of black celebs who watched the extravaganza, and a few of the gorgeous Angels in their lace finery — then head over to Necole Bitchie for more photos of the fun.

Bey’s baby bump looks very clear here — and quite cute. Would you rock these extreme bras and panties? Click below for more!

Victoria Secret’s annual fashion show is one of the year’s most exciting television events, and this year the panty empire is bringing major black star power to the festivities. We already knew Kanye was performing, but now that Cee Lo had to cancel,  Juicy.com says that Nicki Minaj has been added to the hot lineup. It sounds like the perfect pair for this year’s show which will feature lingerie embellished with Swarovski elements,  the $2.5 million Fantasy Treasure Bra, and of course, angel wings.

The 2011 Fashion show airs November 29 on CBS at 10 pm. What are you most looking forward to seeing?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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• Ask The Luv Coach: “I’ve Got Drama With My Male Best Friend’s Girl”
• 10 Ways To Be A Better Friend
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• Light Skinned Women: Let Go of the Guilt
• Should They Have Stayed? Flames Before The Fame and Fortune

After pics of model Chanel Iman getting cozy with Kanye continued to pop up on the internet, it didn’t take long for rumors of a relationship to start circulating. Despite what looks like hardcore evidence of a budding romance, the Victoria Secret Angel told Us Weekly she’s not dating the Louis Vuitton don:

We’re really close, we’re cool. We’ve been really tight since I first started modeling actually. Rumors are rumors. I think Kanye is a great artist, he’s very talented, I’ve always loved his music.

“He’s an incredible performer. He’s really cool, he’s always had my back when I have to get in those Kanye West concerts. I always got in no problem. Backstage, no problem. I have the most respect for him, he has the most respect for me.

We already know Kanye has a thing for models. Do you think Chanel Iman is telling the truth or will Kanye be cuffing her soon? Truth be told, they don’t look as good together as Kanye West and Tracee Ellis Ross… But Tracee is taken. Could this couple work?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

• Making It: Stars Who Were Once Homeless
• Is His Appetite for Adult Films Killing Your Relationship?
• Ask The Luv Coach: “I’ve Got Drama With My Male Best Friend’s Girl”
• 10 Ways To Be A Better Friend
• 7 Silly Ways You Are Ruining Your Relationship
• Light Skinned Women: Let Go of the Guilt
• Should They Have Stayed? Flames Before The Fame and Fortune

by Selam Aster

There’s a reason that accusing someone of “saying one thing and doing another” is such a popular insult. It encapsulates being fake, hypocritical, and inauthentic. And unfortunately, that applies to the uber-producer and artist Kanye West. I’ve never taken him too seriously. I know that as much as he will stand up for Black victims of Hurricane Katrina one day, he’ll turn around and worship at the temple of the Kardashians the next. He’s inconsistent, I get that.

But amid the heels of the very political and black power sentiments in “Watch The Throne,”a collabo with Mr. All-Black himself Jay-Z, West’s blatant ignorance of his power and influence as evidenced in his debut fashion show at Paris Fashion Week is disturbing. Out of about 12 models who donned his women’s wear line, there were only two black faces. Seriously. Seriously??

It’s amazing that something so simple as expressing your supposed love of black culture by hiring your sistas to represent on the runway is lost on Mr. West. To him I say: you can talk about changing the world all day, you can rap about police discrimination all day, about how you were unfairly berated for insulting Taylor swift because you’re a black man, etc, but when it comes down to it, you’re just another gatekeeper yourself. Your small actions are just as important as your bold lyrics. And in this case, you could’ve made a small yet influential decision by telling (because you are indeed the boss) your fashion scout to hire black models.

West’s lack of action and indifference makes me question if all his sentiments about race amount to little more than adding a surprise factor to his music. On one of WTT’s best tracks, “Murder to Excellence,” Yaye raps about the lack of Black figures at the top:

Yeah it’s all messed up when it’s nowhere to go
So we won’t take the time out ’til we reach the T-O-P
From parolees to hold G’s, sold keys, low keys
We like the promised land of the OG’s
In the past if you picture events like a black tie
What the last thing you expect to see, black guys?

Hmm…what’s the last thing you expect to see on the runway Yeezy? Black girls. But yeah, you could’ve changed that reality by speaking a few words.

What do you think? Should we take Yeezy’s lyrics to heart? Or should we just accept it as entertainment?

Who says black girls can’t rock a red lip? We come in all shades and so do red lipsticks and glosses. Let Hello Beautiful school you on how to find the perfect red for your skin tone. Don’t be scare of a little color, baby!

Credit: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images

If you’re a black girl with curves be glad for them. There are women out there trying to get like you…and not just around the way girls, supermodels. Don’t believe me, Chanel Iman recently said she’s trying to eat to gain weight.

The 5-foot-9 Victoria’s Secret model has been eating steaks and mashed potatoes to gain weight. And apparently her efforts have paid off, she told US Magazine she gained 13 pounds.

“I’m a big believer in having hips, butt and thighs!”

Even though she appreciates thickness it’s not so easy to come by for her.  “It’s very difficult for me because I’m naturally skinny,” she said. “I have to put on a lot of weight and work out to gain muscle. I love curves and being Hot.”

Have you ever tried to gain weight? What for?