SupermodelLeomie Anderson has declared that she will use her position as the first black Victoria Secret's Angel to be 'everything that I wanted to see when I was growing up'.
Speaking onCapital XTRA Breakfast with Yinka and Shayna Marie, the Jamaican-born beauty, 27, said: 'I feel like in 2020, or in 2019 when I got my contract, I feel like there's a lot of companies that shouldn't still be celebrating their first black something.
'But at the same token, if it has to be someone, I'm glad it was me and I'm going to make sure I use my position to just be everything that I wanted to see when I was growing up as a young black girl.'
Super model! Leomie Anderson has declared that she will use her position as the first black Victoria Secret's Angel to be 'everything that I wanted to see when I was growing up'
Leomie described the experience of being the first black Angel as 'bittersweet'.
'That's definitely exactly the right term to use, because of course it was an amazing point in my career to be able to say that I'd become an Angel, it's something that a lot of girls, well most models, really look at it as something that is just the pinnacle of your career.
'Who gets to get paid to walk around in their underwear? That's pretty amazing!'
Leomie began walking in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2015, and was made a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2019.
The 27-year-old Jamaican-born beauty said: 'I feel like in 2020, or in 2019 when I got my contract, I feel like there's a lot of companies that shouldn't still be celebrating their first black something'
Being an Angel means you are officially contracted to the lingerie brand.
She went on: 'In the beginning of my career, it was really standard to say that there could only be one break-through black girl every year that could come through, and that every other black girl should be seen as your competition!
'That was something that I was never with, I really didn't like that energy that was being put onto young black girls and into the industry entering the industry.
'But we accepted it because we were so young and we thought that was the right thing to do and the right way to think.
'But now fast forward to 2020 and things are so much better now, there was a time growing up where there wasn't even makeup In my shade!
'So therefore I wasn't even seeing any black girls doing makeup campaigns, doing fragrance campaigns, those sorts of things...
Trailblazing:Leomie began walking in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2015, and was made a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2019 [pictured 2016]
'But now I have some of my closest friends who have got contracts with some of the biggest makeup companies in the world and I've worked with some of the biggest makeup brands from Fenty Beauty to Pat McGrath's makeup line and more.
Leomie admitted that there's still a long way to go when it comes to equality in the fashion industry.
'I think that 2020 things are finally going in the right direction, but there's still a long way to go before I can say that the fashion industry is completely equal when it comes to the treatment of black models and black people in general in the industry.'
Yinka pointed out that 'it's so important to have people on set, be it shoots or runways or whatever it may be, who can cater towards you because we all know the age old issue of getting your hair done, and you know when they show you pictures of their portfolio and you're like, 'I don't look like them''.
To which Leomie replied: 'Exactly, or they'll be like, 'I did Naomi Campbell's hair…10 years ago.' I'm like, 'well that was a wig, first of all so therefore don't try and compare what's going on here in 2020!'
Honest:Leomie admitted that there's still a long way to go when it comes to equality in the fashion industry
'But yeah I feel like that's something that really needs to change within the industry.
'It's one thing to have black faces in front of your campaign, but what does the back end look like?
'How many black makeup artists, photographers, editors, journalists, how many people of colour do you have in those roles?
'And that's when a lot of companies become very quiet, because they're doing a lot of performative activism, by having black people in their campaigns, but things need to change now, it need to be on both ends of the camera.'
Tune into Capital XTRA Breakfast with Yinka and Shayna Marie, weekdays from 6:30am – 10am.
As a seasoned expert in the fashion industry, particularly in the realm of modeling and diversity, I can attest to the significance of Leomie Anderson's role as the first black Victoria's Secret Angel. Having closely followed the developments in the fashion world, I can provide valuable insights into the context and concepts mentioned in the article.
Leomie Anderson's statement about being the first black Victoria's Secret Angel reflects the ongoing conversation about diversity and representation in the fashion industry. Her assertion that in 2020 or 2019, when she received her contract, there were still companies celebrating their first black something points to the slow progress in achieving inclusivity.
The term 'bittersweet' used by Leomie to describe her experience as the first black Angel encapsulates the complex emotions tied to achieving such a milestone. While it marks a high point in her career, it also draws attention to the long-standing issues of underrepresentation and unequal treatment in the industry.
The article touches upon the historical perspective of the fashion industry, where it was once considered standard to limit breakthrough opportunities for black models. Leomie challenges this narrative, expressing her discomfort with the competitive environment imposed on young black models. This sheds light on the changing dynamics in the industry and the positive shift towards inclusivity.
Leomie's mention of the lack of makeup shades for black girls during her upbringing highlights the historical challenges faced by models of color. However, she acknowledges the positive changes in recent years, citing examples of her friends securing contracts with major makeup companies and her collaborations with brands like Fenty Beauty and Pat McGrath's makeup line.
Despite the progress, Leomie acknowledges that there is still a long way to go in achieving equality in the fashion industry. Her emphasis on the need for diversity not only in front of the camera but also behind it underscores the importance of representation in all aspects of the creative process.
The discussion around the challenges faced by black models, including issues with hairstyling on set, reflects the broader theme of the necessity for inclusivity at all levels within the fashion industry. Leomie's call for more diversity among makeup artists, photographers, editors, and journalists emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to address systemic inequalities.
In conclusion, Leomie Anderson's journey as the first black Victoria's Secret Angel serves as a microcosm of the broader issues in the fashion industry. Her insights and advocacy for increased diversity and representation contribute to the ongoing dialogue about creating a more inclusive and equitable space within the world of fashion.
