Models at Chromat Spring 2021; Image: Imaxtree
We knew heading into the Spring 2021 season that things would look a bit different. Thanks to the ongoing pandemic, pulling off traditional runway shows became a whole lot trickier. For some designers, the risks outweighed the benefits. Others opted to showcase their wares in other formats, like lookbooks and video presentations. All of these adjustments definitely had an impact on our diversity findings. Some for the better, others not so much.
RACE
After reviewing 287 model appearances across 48 “shows,” New York Fashion Week Spring 2021 saw a pretty significant bump in racial diversity. This season boasted 57.1 percent models of color way up from Fall 2020’s 43.6 percent. The increase may be explained by the decrease in designers showing in New York this season. Or the fact that the fashion world suddenly grew a conscience after social injustice found its way back into the spotlight. (We hope neither is the main motivator since…