Bella Hadid Opens Up About Racism In The Modelling Industry
“It is ok to use your voice and demand justice”
Taking on New York City, (with a coveted Telfar bag in tow), Bella Hadid is a far cry away from life in lockdown. Long gone are the days where we sit in awe stalking Hadid on Insta planting thousands of Lavender sprouts.
Gracing the cover of Elles’ September issue, Bella is photographed by who other than her Supermodel sis Gigi from their farm in Pennsylvania. Cute candids aside, she took the opportunity to raise her concerns on the derogatory ongoings she herself has witnessed within the industry and why the augmentation of the Black Lives Matter Movement is crucial if we want to see a genuine change.
There’s a million and one ways the fashion industry can better itself in terms of diversity and inclusion; Bella takes this as her opportunity to shed light on the experiences of her Black colleagues and the racism she’s witnessed herself. “Going into the next season, my fear is having to see another one of my Black girlfriends get her hair burned by a hair straightener, or do her own makeup because the makeup artist hasn’t been trained to work with all different skin types”
“I hate that some of my Black friends feel the way they do. Even if they sitting FROW, they’re not feeling accepted. Our industry is supposed to be about expression and individuality, but the reality is that [many people] still discriminate because of exactly [those differences]”
“I have so much responsibility to use my platform for good, especially as I get older” When asked about her posts on the BLM movement, Bella added “I want young girls and boys to know it is ok to use your voice and demand justice for what is important to you. I want them to know it’s ok to be empathetic and gentle but to be strong and speak your truth at the same time”.
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