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The Colour of Beauty

Renee Thompson is trying to make it as a top fashion model in New York. She's got the looks, the walk and the drive. But she’s a black model in a world where white women represent the standard of beauty. Agencies rarely hire black models. And when they do, they want them to look “like white girls dipped in chocolate.” The Colour of Beauty is a shocking short documentary that examines racism in the fashion industry. Is a black model less attractive to designers, casting directors and consumers? What is the colour of beauty?
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Renee Thompson is trying to make it as a top fashion model in New York. She's got the looks, the walk and the drive. But she’s a black model in a world where white women represent the standard of beauty. Agencies rarely hire black models. And when they do, they want them to look “like white girls dipped in chocolate.”



The Colour of Beauty is a shocking short documentary that examines racism in the fashion industry. Is a black model less attractive to designers, casting directors and consumers? What is the colour of beauty?

 This work deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism Work and Labour Relations Women All subjects
Black Communities in Canada Hot Topics Human Rights All channels
  • director
    Elizabeth St. Philip
  • producer
    Alexandra Yanofsky
  • line production
    Aisling Chin-Yee
    Marie-France Côté

Education

Ages 11 to 17
School subjects
Diversity - Black Studies Family Studies/Home Economics - Feminism Health/Personal Development - Careers & Education Media Education - Body Image
Student groups suggest 5 or 6 vocations or professions. Are some innate attributes required? Discuss: although film does not approach black models from the point of view of the readership, what is the effect on women's self-image? Students select an internet or TV ad and write an analytical paragraph indicating the target audience in terms of gender, income, age and other characteristics. Ad placement: who watches the program?

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