Naomi Campbell still battling racial barriers in fashion

Naomi Campbell is still facing racism in the fashion industry despite her supermodel status.
Naomi has been at the top of the fashion game since the ‘80s, becoming one of the defining models of the era, alongside the likes of Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista. But, unlike some of her ‘90s counterparts, the 48-year-old has continued to model, though, after more than 30 years in fashion, she is still coming up against racist barriers,
“It’s still not balanced completely. I’m the face of a new campaign and I was told that because of the colour of my skin a certain country would not use my picture,” she told British Vogue. “For me it was a reality check. I never believe in the hype, so it just kept things in perspective for me. Now I would like to know that models (of colour) get the same opportunities and fees in advertising.”
The British supermodel, who was first scouted at the age of 15 before she established herself as one of the most sought-after names in the fashion world, can now easily command some of the biggest fees in fashion.
However, that wasn’t always the case for the London-born beauty.
“I used to have to fight for the same fee as my (white) counterparts doing the same job,” she sighed.
Luckily she had a great support network in her corner, with Linda and Christy, who famously starred alongside Naomi in George Michael’s iconic Freedom! ’90 pop video, “jeopardising their own careers” by insisting designers “who were not into even thinking of using a model of colour at that time” used her in their shows and campaigns.
Meanwhile Naomi shared she is focused on continuing to break barriers personally and globally.
“My friends are always telling me to slow down and rest but I’m at a point in my career where my vision is crystal clear, and for now I’m on a mission,” she wrote in a post on Instagram. “A mission to ensure that my industry – the fashion industry – is a place that’s diverse and of equal opportunity and I’m on a mission to change the narrative and perception of the great continent of Africa!”