A model in the Todd Lynn show. Image: Rex Features via AP Images

Jezebel has done an exhaustive analysis of the 143 shows and live presentations that took place during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and found that there were more models of color walking the runways than years past. Still, the overwhelming percentage of models (79.4 percent) were white. That means that, of the 4708 “looks” shown, 3,736 were worn by white models.

Fewer than 10 percent (8.1 percent, to be precise) were black. Asian models actually came in second with 10.1 percent representation, followed by Latinas at 1.9 percent and finally, the elusive “others” were .5 percent.

“These results may be partly attributed to the season, because one trend that is apparent in our data is the preference for slightly more models of color at the spring-summer collections and slightly fewer at the fall-winter collections, which may be due to a belief on the part of casting directors that darker skin tones suit the bright colors of spring clothes better than they do fall’s more somber hues,” the site reports, based on off-the-record sources.

Still, six percent of shows had no models of color and 20 percent had three or fewer. Among the more diverse shows were Tracy Reese, Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren and Betsey Johnson.

Even before the Jezebel report, The Wall Street Journal was crowing about the diversity on the runways, using as an example Singapore-born Prabal Gurung, who gave the quote that pretty much sums up the whole issue: “Beauty is beauty.” In terms of race, he says he’s also looking to provide role models for his niece.

But ultimately, it’s about the market. That Journal story goes on to talk about the huge Chinese luxury market and how the desire to appeal to it played a role in the increased number of Asian models participating in NYFW. (If that’s something you’d like more info about, read Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster which has a stunning section about the shopping habits of this growing market.)

The top Asian model was Liu Wen, who walked in 21 shows. Cora Emmanuel topped the list for black models, walking in 17 shows. Number two on Jezebel’s list is Joan Smalls with 14 shows. She’s originally from Puerto Rico.

Overall, the fashion consumer is a diverse one, and the industry should recognize that and reflect it in its shows. With a more diverse crop of young designers coming up through the ranks, a more mixed group of models will likely be coming to the catwalk soon.

Image: Tom + Lorenzo

Did you see FLOTUS at the DNC Convention last night? Vogue editor-at-large said it best in this tweet last night:

Michelle Obama: You ARE the Best of the American Spirit. Its not the clothes you wear, its your grace, your kindness, your caring. PURE JOY

But just for the record, the dress was a custom Tracy Reese worn with suede J.Crew shoes. According to Tom + Lorenzo, they were not only getting bombarded with questions about the First Lady’s outfit but the shade of her nail polish. “[T]o which we have to respond ‘Really?’” they write. No really. I was curious about it too. We’ve seen a couple of people predict that those shoes (in “rhubarb”) will probably sell out. And she could do for Tracy Reese (already a popular designer) what she did for Jason Wu. Reese has already got a story on today’s Wall Street Journal Speakeasy blog, which notes that the First Lady wore Tracy Reese on the cover of Ebony previously.

Michelle Obama’s riveting speech overtook Mitt Romney’s GOP Convention speech last week on the Twitter leaderboard, peaking at 28,003 tweets per minute versus Romney’s high point of 14,289 per minute, Politico reports. Here, the site lists what it thinks are her top 10 lines from the speech. And here’s coverage of the speech from another of the night’s notable speakers, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro.

And as we noted yesterday, Michelle Obama focused on the middle class and President Obama’s values.

“The address was meant to lay the foundation for a convention program devised to remind wavering working- and middle-class voters — the same ones Mr. Romney is working so hard to woo away — what they liked about the president when they supported him four years ago, and how his own humbler roots have helped inspire his policies to help them,” The New York Times says. Moreover, the speech painted a personal picture of the President and the life he has shared with Michelle. We watched on MSNBC and Chris Matthews, post-speech, noted how the camerawork caught the emotion of the attendees, rapt and even a little teary-eyed as they listened.

“Barack knows the American Dream because he’s lived it,” she said.

l to r: photos by James Anthony Photo, Elliot & Erick

Quick. Which of these looks is “high-fashion”? Which is “urban”?

The answer to the second question is none of them, according to Mychael Knight, the designer who created all of them.

“I will correct someone very quickly when they say I am an ‘urban designer’ or a ‘hip-hop designer,” he said. “There is nothing wrong with [designing hip-hop-inspired sportswear], but it’s just not what I do.”

As for the answer to the first question, Knight, who is black, cites an “invisible barrier” that reserves “high-fashion” anointing for a privileged circle of designers—very few of which are black. “Tracy Reese and Rachel Roy - they’ve penetrated that, but I don’t ever really see any placement of them in fashion magazines”—an indication that Reese and Roy are not readily on the mind of prominent editors and stylists.

Perhaps observant of this trend, some black designers early in their careers choose to use white models, particularly for lookbooks, which are prepared for press and buyers, and on their websites where customers seeking high-fashion looks (assumed to be white) can immediately imagine themselves in their pieces.  Though Knight regularly casts models of color for both his runway shows and his lookbooks, he can guess why some African-American designers skip over black models altogether.

“When you open up a fashion magazine—a Vogue or an Elle,” Knight points out, “you never see black models. You think, as a black designer, ‘well, if I need my brand [or] my product to get noticed I need to use the white models.’”  It’s like high school, Knight explains. “People feel like they to need fit in.”

Model booker Carole White gave New York Magazine the racial breakdown as it applies to models.  “Asian girls do really well. You can’t have too many, but they do really well, and it’s quite easy to book them. For Black girls, it is more difficult.” White is further quoted as saying, “[Black models] have to be utterly amazing. There will be less work. It takes much longer to establish them… because clients don’t take the risk on black girls so much.” For this reason, White admits agencies are “very, very picky” when it comes to signing black models. “Maybe you’re not as picky with the white girls, because there’s more work for them.”

With African-American models facing a shrunken market, getting passed over by black designers only further threatens their livelihood. It also perpetuates old school notions of what, and who, represents luxury versus the aesthetic of the street.

Black women have an extraordinary impact on the world, and Crystal McCrary is capturing all of those modern-day successes and triumphs in one book. Through written word and photo essays, Inspiration: Profiles of Black Women Changing Our World, tells the unique stories of 30 black women who are current game changers.

From entertainers to athletes, politicians, and business owners, this book covers black women from all social, cultural, and political walks of life, such as Betye Saar, Majora Carter, Thelma Golden, and Bethann Hardison. Well-known figures such as First Lady Michelle Obama, Ruby Dee, Patti Labelle, Shonda Rhimes, and Venus Williams are also featured.

Wesley Royce, assistant editor for ABRAMS, the publisher of the book, said throughout the book there were a few common threads woven throughout each woman’s story of success.

“These women put in an immense amount of hard work into developing their skills and they didn’t just believe in themselves— they believed in sharing their talents with the world,” he said.

Wesley also noted that no woman said they achieved their success on their own.

“They also all spoke about the importance of other strong women in their lives— whether it was their mothers or own children or friends— and the strength they drew from their support was crucial to their success.”

The book is currently available as a hardcover and for e-readers. For more information visit the ABRAMs blog. Will you check out this book?

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

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Photos via blog.newsok.com, living.msn.com and style.com

Fall – the favorite season of many fashionsitas  - is getting revamped thanks to Tracy Reese. The traditional dark color palette reserved for the season is updated by incorporating bright hues into the mix. Colors like orange, yellow, and many shades of purple were not only used as pops of color, but they also comprised entire outfits. Reese does a lot within this collection. For instance, she combines current trends into one look – color blocking and mixed prints – sticks to what she knows with lots of dainty dresses, and updates classic pairings like a t-shirt and skirt. 

Reese’s collection is busy (in a good way), refreshing and holds on tight to color. If you’re a woman who has places to go and people to see, then click “Next” and check out some of the ensembles that Reese has created with you in mind.

Thanks to Tracy Reese’s Pre-Fall 2012 collection we are forced to rethink fabrics like gingham, as well as patent leather and florals. She reacquaints us with these fabrics through loads of separates – some combining multiple fabrics all at once - but per usual, she includes several frocks that give off a ‘chic housewife vibe.’ Yet, it’s the separates that illustrate the voice of the collection: versatility. Separates allow the customer to choose which trends she wants to bring into her wardrobe and Reese is a mix-n-match pro.

Tika Sumpter as Raina Thorpe on The CW's Gossip Girl

Actress, Tika Sumpter, possesses a fashion sense that is as HOT as her resume is turning out to be!

Some may believe she should quit her day job, but she keeps snagging amazing roles! If you’re into daytime soap operas, then you may remember her as Layla Williamson on One Life to Live. Last season, she had a recurring role on Gossip Girl as revenge-seeking Raina Thorpe and could also be found on BET’s The Game as Jenna Rice, the pretty model who captured Malik’s heart. As of right now, she is starring in a remake of the classic movie Sparkle (currently in production), so it’s clear that Sumpter must be doing something right.

Whether you prefer her as a model or an actress, one fact everyone should be able to agree on is that this girl can wear some clothes! She also dresses for real women. Some stars wear ensembles that are only fitting for Hollywood types (and Hollywood-type money). Yet, Tika’s outfits are so versatile, there’s something for everyone to be inspired by and to add to their closet. As a signature, her shapely figure loves to showoff high hemlines, body-hugging garments and loads of color! Not to mention, her gorgeous complexion always looks pristine and her makeup stays flawless!  Peep our favorite looks rocked by the stylish star and get inspired!

Sometimes it’s fun to wear your heart on your sleeve…literally. When you’re off to date night, a wedding or just a romantic mood, adding a romantic touch to your outfit can make you feel flirty. As we all know, the classic symbol of love is the heart. Now, including hearts on clothing and accessories may seem taboo after 12. However, you can include heart-shaped items in your wardrobe that are both grown and Hot. Here are some adorable options. 

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We certainly notice a sister who’s achieved a certain status in the business world. While we’re impressed with her talent and skill we can’t help but take note of her fashion sense. In a sea of black and blue business suits, it’s nice to see these ladies spice it up with a dress that pops with color. Check out the women of Corporate America who’ve climbed the ladder without scuffing their heels…

(The Root) — Tracy Reese, one of the top American talents showing at the tents in Lincoln Center this week, made her case for creative and fashionable clothes that women can actually wear. Dashing, ankle-length pleated skirt with a stylish caressing sweater, anyone?  As always, her dad, Claude Reese, who backed his daughter’s business more than a decade ago, and her sister, Leslie, sat in the front row to lead the applause. It’s been a challenging and gratifying climb to the high rungs of fashion for Detroit-born Reese. After graduating from the prestigious Parsons The New School of Design in New York, Reese worked for Martine Sitbon in Paris and Magaschoni in New York before launching her own line.

After many setbacks, these days top models, a top venue, makeup by celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal and a star-studded audience are now Reese’s new normal. This season, Gabrielle Union sat front row alongside Veronica Webb and Sophia Bush. Last year, celeb guests included the buzziest couple in town — Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian; and then there was the first lady choosing a fetching raspberry Reese design to wear for her People-magazine cover.  Reese now oversees two collections: the signature line seen on the runway this week and the whimsical and more affordable Plenty by Tracy Reese collection. Her boutique on Hudson Street in New York City features two of her favorite motifs, which have become part of her brand — hot pink and chandeliers. The boutique sells the collections, shoes, jewelry and handbags.

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