Diversity and Inclusivity: Fashion's Missed Opportunity | Joan Smalls, Hari Nef |

A discussion on diversity and inclusion between president of IMG Models Ivan Bart, mixed-race model Joan Smalls and transgender American actress and model Hari Nef. Subscribe to BoF to watch more #BoFVOICES Videos ►► bit.ly/2dknoYc
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[@victoriaknowsbest]

Joan is so powerful. she's the only one I see speaking with full passion.

[@leanne.paigex]

Legit, when she spoke my ears opened, nobody else grabbed my attention in that same way.

[@karlitop7497]

Why do I feel like Ivan is not part of the solution but part of the problem. His statement seem to just put a bandaid on the problem, and try and glorify the small ounce of inclusion / diversity the industry has had. Fingers do need to be pointed, and people need to be held accountable !

[@FernandoLopez-xm6td]

joan smalls very well! Truth was spoken of what working in the fashion world is! but yet anyone of diversity can break barriers as you have. Love you Joan Smalls for speaking the truth..

[@olivermcerlean2635]

Agents are the ones who hunt for new models. THEY are the root of the problem. This agent says don't blame people, don't point fingers. This guy couldn't take the heat.

[@Robertking1996]

At the same time they seek girls they know clients will want & pay for. They're all to blame.

[@milliesunshine5228]

Very true

[@iledwards13]

Unfortunately, it seems to me that Ivan slightly misses the point, though. He says that we can't or shouldn't finger point, and that the INDUSTRY needs to embrace diversity.......however, it's important to keep in mind that the PEOPLE comprise the industry. And without calling out the people who are CAUSING issues, how does one expect the INDUSTRY (which is this sort of intangible entity) to effect change??

[@ETOKITO]

very well said

[@Robertking1996]

He's the president of the world's largest modeling agency, expecting much out of him is wasting one's energy.

[@ninninin656]

He was totally trying to deflect blame - a sales person through and through!

[@soanemoa2191]

Of course he’s not going to point out the problems, he’s in it!!

[@allanmanzanares3119]

We need more Joan's, more Lineisy's, more Alek's, more Achok's, more Xiao Wen Ju's, more Hari's, more Bumikha's and everything that represents diversity.

[@KindellArmstrong]

Allan Manzanares are Chinese 1% beautiful

[@SI-cd7xs]

why? honestly tell me why should whites be forced to accomodate non whites in our cultural spheres? especially in a time when non whites are forever whining and bitching about whites who enter theirs

[@buzzzhit6579]

wow shes so intelligent wow shes amazing Joan Smalls love her shes so damn real and humble ithink shes the smart model inthe industry .

[@beyzee8516]

Fresh Boricua she knows what she's doing. She graduated with honors and a degree in Psychology. She's really smart. Karlie Kloss is also the same.

[@jobeluna4725]

Everyone making negative comments of Joan Smalls, firsts all English is not her first language, no one should apologized for not speaking articulate. Joan Smalls is intelligent woman.

[@ednaperez2267]

A los críticos ponlos a hablar castellano y veamos cuanto fluyen en otro idioma.

[@chegu613]

she is very articulate though

[@xiaoxuan1010]

the victoria's secret cast is BS are you fucking kidding me. LOL at Hari's face at 22:45 just like NAH m8

[@ortem000]

This was a FANTASTIC conversion and I enjoyed it immensely. Don't hide from the truth. We are too good for that. The fashion industry is filled to the brim with minorities and if they band together, they can truly be a major catalyst for change. It starts with conversation and then one must take action. Do what you can in your own way to break down walls. Kudos again to all who participated in this. P.S.- Joan is AMAZING in every single way. Love her!

[@etdieucrealesfemmesnoires9411]

the victoria secret cast wasnt diverse a all !!!! fucking jokes !!! 40 models were blond, only 4 was dark skin and 4 asian (for the first time) !! i was really mad at the victoria secret casting this season, and i didnt even like their show!! hate them

[@Djo2323]

Et Dieu créa les femmes noires Totally agree. You're beautiful btw

[@MartianSpace]

Hey, do u have a Instagram?

[@jovanacitic]

Joan is the most beautiful woman nowadays, in my opinion. Very nice video. XO

[@MalenkyGoblin]

This is not a new problem. Naomi Sims dealt with racist agencies in the 1960's who thought she was too dark, she sidestepped the agencies and went directly to fashion photographers and Gösta Peterson, a photographer for The New York Times, agreed to photograph her for the cover of the paper's August 1967 fashion supplement. She was later signed on by Wilhelmina Cooper and became the first black model on the cover of Ladies Home Journal. The 70's was a great decade for models of color, like the Battle of Versaille in 1973. Unfortunately the tides changed and the 80's saw a return of conservative values and a dislike for diversity.

[@curtisleach1526]

Thank You for this post!

[@vernelploche8485]

everytime Ivan opened his mouth I heard the words "pull the trigger piglet" echoing in my head

[@belentorcelli5612]

Thanks for showing this side of the industry, and keep on giving hope for change in a place where we all know its still so messy and incorrect in so many ways. Every time I read news, or watch a clip of Bof it gives me courage to keep on betting on my dreams and future in this industry.

[@luisluna7974]

Thank you BoF!!!! I love these talks, they're very interesting and educational. Love from Mexico 😚

[@fashionerdxo]

1. Why did the casting director only bring up gender, age and size? No race? 2. When the end came why did the host say thank you and the camera only paneled over to the transgender guy's face and not Joan? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@RicardoMartinez-cv3ej]

I love Hari Nef! She is brilliant and has the right voice for this generation. (Love my girl Joan too, us Latinos are criminally overlooked by fashion.)

[@bac1881]

That's not true, many of the world successful models are Latinos. Gisele, Adriana, Alessandra, Fernanda, Lais, Rachel Zimmerman, Leticia, Caroline Trentini, Caroline Ribeiro and list goes on and on.

[@RicardoMartinez-cv3ej]

Allow me to be more specific: dark-skinned/black/Moreno Latino models are overlooked by fashion. All those models you mentioned are considered white whilst someone like Joan is seen as a black model. We just forget about Latinos overall.

[@HollyandChanel]

No, Afro Latinos are criminally overlooked. :(

[@ninninin656]

How are Latinos overlooked??? After Russian girls they are literally the second most common model type. BLACK girls of all ethnicities are criminally overlooked - white Latino girls are doing just fine, as long as they pass as Caucasian. Sad, but true.

[@Itzy91]

Hari Nef is so on point!

[@awildamercado2120]

I'm sorry but modeling is not greatness! I do however appreciate Joan's openness and desire to create change within the fashion industry. I literally just learned Joan is Puerto Rican and Boricua pride is strong and alive. Viva Puerto Rico!

[@cur8able]

I hear size, gender, ethnicity...can we please begin to consider dressing body types with disabilities, please? I work as a stylist in Los Angeles exclusively for actors and influencers with disabilities. I've followed clothing and retail trends for people with disabilities for 26 years. Anyone can become a person with a disability at any time.

[@jjmir3565]

Wow diversity day is still happening in every field of work. So the company can post on their social media and can say they did it.👏🏼

[@Prodbxngtxn]

this is so awesome.

[@ks.f.1203]

Take from this what you will. Draft your own contracts. Set your own lane. Control your own images. Don't rely on those in the industry for acceptance. Embrace the never ending present.

[@draganar1741]

We're now 6 years in the future since this talk and looking at the current shows, not so much has changed when it comes to diversity and inclusivity. My biggest hope was during the pandemic that the fashion industry will manage to finally make a reset but as soon as the pandemic was over it's back to the business as usual. Not so much has fundamentally changed. It's more about diversity and inclusivity for one or top two seasons as already mentioned by Hari and Joan for many brands. Unfortunately, when it comes to profit vs. humans, it's always about profit. As long as this attitude doesn't change there won't be a fundamental change regarding diversity and inclusivity.

[@neelsn6403]

the thing I most liked about this interview is that a transgender girl is being treated equally .she is not being treated like trash or a queen.equality .

[@southbronx2040]

Black beauty was the first beauty in the world, then they put on make up and skin got lighter and they forgot . African decents is the beauty that created the word beautiful. Bless up

[@soniaaranda1585]

👋👋👋👋👋👋👋🇵🇷 so proud of her. Well spoken

[@xiaoxuan1010]

"for men to be real men" someone drag him off the stage

[@MyWifesSon69]

xxchappell why???

[@MyWifesSon69]

xxchappell masculinity offends u or something?

[@ninninin656]

Masculinity isn't offensive, but the idea of essentialist masculinity is!

[@markusdeep9408]

I don't know why +TimBlank seems embarrassed to just say "you Joan as a black.." instead he said you are" Latina". I think that +JoanSmalls feels comfortable with her heritage and to be a Black woman. Others simply don't. I remember back in June 2016 at Paris Fashion Week a little girl (mixed little 5yo girl) saying I want to be like (model) Lineisy Montero and I asked her why not to be like other model (who appeared to be Romee Strijd) and she said "no she is like my doll". She likes cat walking and imitating models on runways. So Joan is right on saying she inspires other minorities it be black, Asians or albinos. I had a chance to attend Victoria secret fashion show in Grand Palais, Paris I saw at least 50 angels and only 4 amongst them were Black (mixed or not) and 3 Asian models (Ming Xi, Liu Wen and He Sui). I don't can't understand why +IvanBart President of IMG calls "diversity". Really? Does he know the definition of "diversity" in a group of 50 persons?

[@Luckimee]

Even seeing this gives me hope to work in fashion again

[@Luckimee]

She is absolutely wonderful

[@rebel063]

I remember when designers would only cast white models and Joan would be the only black model. What a shame! #weneedmorediversity

[@SYRUP86]

Where's did she aquire the surname or maiden Small's Rodriguez or something like that?

[@namafarm]

17:17 right on point. Shes sharp and aware... love it.

[@olivermcerlean2635]

Hari is a revelation. So intelligent. Well-spoken. Book her now.

[@1sTEfFaniE1]

That conversation felt so lacking after listening to Jame's impassioned plea for change.

[@brealexandria]

This was amazing!!

[@ryanfajri9380]

Not only race, but gender also, WE NEED MORE MALE MODELS!!!

[@neelsn6403]

diversity is good but when asian countries will westernize their culture .when will their turn come.nobody talks about that.

[@LeonardoVfashionbook]

Joan you can be anythings and fight for it.

[@caroleiteka2797]

Joan iss soo beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

[@trey1675]

I go this way

[@danielcornell2351]

I don't like fashion. I just like to create clothes

[@trey1514]

The right amount

[@remakw4338]

Joan 💔

[@MrRsmit113]

to destroy real artistry and beauty is to make them obey these silly rules

[@infoseijoarnjz]

Ok. 3 men and Joan...

[@terrencejohnson5496]

Yes Joan say that “bland!”

[@Ambernomi]

Hari ❤️

[@6fh5jj]

hari nef looks so cute!

[@rdavian]

......smh diversity day three whites one half breed.....just be honest its about the money and thats all it will ever be is about the money

[@lexibecker278]

Complain much?

[@jamietodd1675]

I was 100% for everything that they were saying until they got political because they were speaking less than half truths especially the gay guy. You just loss my support

[@bethhtang]

What do you mean by half truths?

[@jamietodd1675]

Elizabeth T that fact that you ask me that shows that you don't have a clue so figure it out for yourself. I'm not going get into a back and forth political debate

[@claybyrd4943]

Jamie Todd meaning, there's no validity to your comment.

[@jamietodd1675]

Clay Byrd there's no validity to your existence

[@claybyrd4943]

Jamie Todd and again ,what's your point. You make a blanket statement and when asked ,in a civil manner to explain "you resort to a childlike mini rant. "I don't wanna talk about it ,and you don't matter .

[@Luckimee]

BLAND

[@christinemariej]

Hari sounds so in touch and articulate next to Joan.

[@m.m9136]

Negative...she is very intelligent and articulate as well

[@kellydiaz1066]

Joan Smalls : I study psychology Like like Like.

[@soanemoa2191]

Joan is too skinny! No shape or figure