British Model Hits Back At “Unprepared” Make-Up Artists

British model Leomie Anderson has spoken out about how ill-equipped she feels many make-up artists are to properly work with darker skin. The model has appeared on the catwalk several times during New York Fashion Week, and took to social media to express her disappointment in the lack of diversity in the industry, particularly when it comes to beauty.

Why is it that the black makeup artists are busy with blonde white girls and slaying their makeup and I have to supply my own foundation

? Leomie Anderson (@LeLeValentine) February 17, 2016

“It’s not fair that there aren’t as many hairdressers or make-up artists that are confident doing all races to a professional standard,” Anderson commented on Instagram. “We shouldn’t have to feel worried sitting in the chair of a professional that we may not look our best when doing our jobs, unlike our white counterparts.”

She was also vocal on Twitter, stressing the need for change both on the runways and behind the scenes.

WE NEED MORE MAKEUP ARTISTS AND HAIR WHO ARE COMPETENT WITH ALL RACES BACKSTAGE AT SHOWS.

? Leomie Anderson (@LeLeValentine) February 17, 2016

“Of course I get given to the makeup artist who had ONE brown foundation she was trying to mix with white on a sly because she’s not equipped,” she tweeted. “Why is it that the black makeup artists are busy with blonde white girls and slaying their makeup and I have to supply my own foundation?”

At this stage, the diversity problem in the fashion industry surprises no one,?but the statistics suggest that the problem isn’t going away anytime soon. During the Spring 2016 shows, The Fashion Spot reported that out of the 373 shows and 9,926 models who walked the runways of New York, London, Paris, and Milan fashion week, 77.6% were white.

Speaking her mind is nothing new to Anderson, who has called out the industry on its lack of diversity before. She writes a blog entitled The Cracked China Cup, frequently sharing her views on similar topics.

She joins the ranks of fellow models Jourdan Dunn and Brandee Brown, who have all been vocal about the lack of resources available for models of colour in the industry.