30 is the new black

There was uproar when the news broke that black magazine Essence appointed Ellianna Placas, a white fashion editor (incidentally from Australia). But is the problem more than just skin deep?

The brand mission of Essence magazine states that “Essence inspires black women of all shades and shapes to lead bold, fulfilling lives. We encourage their passions and dreams and celebrate their community. As a trusted friend, we reflect their best selves and motivate them to live without limits.”

Given Australia’s poor record to date and lack of visibility of black women in Australian magazines and popular culture, I’ll be the first to admit that my first reaction to this wasn’t exactly one of pure elation.

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New York based model Jessica Hart who joins Jennifer Hawkins for the latest Myer campaign busted the myth that models don’t work out and said that there were no short cuts to modelling.

It’s a welcome relief from the rubbish we have been fed for years by models who say they can eat whatever they want, never exercise and attribute their stick thin body to simply good genes and a fast metabolism.

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Can women and men ever be friends? This is an old-age question and everyone has a different view on it. I agree wholeheartedly with Billy Crystal’s character in the movie “When Harry Met Sally,” who famously said, “Men and women can’t be friends … the sex [or attraction] part always gets in the way.”

Past experience has shown me that a man can only be friends with a woman if there is no physical  attraction but the kicker is that a man will usually only seek out a friendship with a woman he is attracted to. I think women are much better at trying to put their feelings aside but when unrequited feelings gets in the way of a blossoming friendship, admittedly it isn’t always the guy who is struggling with those feelings.

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Indigenous model Samantha Harris is on the cover of the Vogue June 2010 issue in a gorgeous yellow Pucci gown. She is only the second Aboriginal model to appear on the cover of the fashion bible, the first being Elaine George in 1993.

It is very rare to see a black model on the Australian cover of a magazine (not including celebrities and singers) because Mia Freedman let us in on an industry secret back in 2005  that black models apparently do not sell magazines.

Naomi Campbell is an outspoken advocate of more racial diversity in the fashion industry and constantly speaks out about the lack of representation of black models. Read more »

Lily Allen made an appearance on Neighbour’s last night showcasing her song ‘22’ which is currently at number 13 in the Aria Top 50 Single Charts.

‘22’ is about a woman who had the world at her feet at 22 but now she’s almost 30 years old and doesn’t have a career or a boyfriend.

According to the song lyrics, “It’s sad but it’s true how society says her life is already over. There’s nothing to do and there’s nothing to say ‘til the man of her dreams comes along, picks her up and puts her over his shoulder.”

But how many number one singles, movies, magazine covers or product endorsements does it take for celebrities like Lily Allen to realise they are ‘society’?

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