Black Lives Matter alters fashion and beauty industries, says Naomi Campbell

Worldwide protests about the treatment of Black people will alter the global fashion and beauty industries by creating job opportunities and products catering for a broader range of consumers, model Naomi Campbell declared to the media in an interview.

The global fashion industry has long been criticised for its lack of diversity. Some firms have started making product changes, as protests about systemic racism sparked by the killing of Black people by police in the United States highlight established issues related to race.

International supermodel and activist Naomi Campbell speaks to Reuters during an interview in London, Britain. Image credit Reuters, Hannah McKay, File Photo

Campbell, who during a 34-year career was the first Black model to appear on the covers of French Vogue and Time magazine, explained she believed there would be more opportunities for Black people as designers, stylists and make-up artists.

“Now the whole world is on the same page. The voices are coming out now ... and I look at that with optimism that we will get our change,” she pointed out.

The model also believes that companies were likely to expand their cosmetics ranges to match more skin tones.

“We spend a lot of money. We are big consumers,” said Campbell, referring to the opportunities for businesses.

For instance, earlier in June, Band-Aid, owned by Johnson & Johnson, said it would launch a range of bandages to match a variety of skin tones.

Fashion model Reta Jerry-Riman prepares for a photoshoot to create campaign images to contribute to the social media challenge called the 'Vogue Africa Challenge' at a studio in Lagos, Nigeria. Image credit Reuters, Temilade Adelaja

Campbell, who two years ago told a Reuters reporter that Vogue magazine should be working to launch an African edition, also declared that she had “come to understand that Conde Nast is working on bringing a Vogue Africa”.

Citing conversations with people at Conde Nast, she said it was being “looked into to be developed” before the killing of George Floyd by police sparked worldwide protests.

However, Conde Nast said it does not comment on future business ventures but continuously works on the expansion of its brands globally.

Yet, will this be a new opportunity for the fashion industry to become more inclusive and wide-ranging, or is this a business tactical move due to the current crucial timing?