In the July issue of Italian Vogue only black models have been used as a reaction to recent anger over the reluctance of fashion magazines to feature black models on their covers, with the levels of exposure for black women among the lowest since the 1960s.Back in the late Nineties during my time at IPC media, if we put a black artist on the cover of NME or Melody Maker it was invariably followed by a drop in sales of about 50%.
It appears to still be a problem today with Vogue admitting they are expecting perhaps their worst sales figures ever as a consequence of their choice to use black models solely for the issue.
And then we have Jay-Z headlining Glastonbury this year, with his appearance bringing adverse headlines and negative press to the event, culminating in sluggish ticket sales for the legendary festival.
To top it off, Britain’s most senior Muslim officers in the Metropolitan Police are planning drastic action to highlight claims of discrimination at the very top of the force.
Just what is going on?
With the current favourite for the next US election being black, just how far off the pace is the UK when it comes to issues of race?
