With models of color missing from the pages of high profile fashion magazines once more, and luxury brands dropping or refusing to use models of color in their campaigns (allegedly due to the recession Lame ) http://www.telegraph.co.u...ssion.html
it's refreshing to see editorial spreads like this one.
There's no real reason I'm posting this (this isn't a "major" mag and probably won't change anything in the industry) other than I think these girls are GOR-geous and I think the shoot is cool (the kid in spongebob and crocs cracks me up!), so I'm sharing.
These clothes wouldn't look the same if it weren't for the beautiful color of their skin. I'm glad their skin color is what got them booked instead of the other way around.

More pics: http://www.fashion-ation....clear.aspx
I have a serious case of “skin-envy”. Being a pale red haired lady, I have longed to be able to wear bright coloured all over print outfits offset by divine dark skin. But alas, this shall not be. An example of my skin-envy is featured in the latest issue of Oyster Magazine. “Nu Clean” is shot by Milos Mali and showcases how technicolour, neon pop, ornate brocade and rainbow hip hop fusion can blend together successfully when worn by the gorgeous Kuei and Akeer.
With outstanding styling by Paul Bui, the inspiration seems a mix of M.I.A and Santogold with Boy George circa 1980! Whilst the girls pose in a decidedly egalitarian approach to the styling, labels like Josh Goot, Tina Kalivas, Zimmermann, Firetrap and Adidas mix with Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Gucci and Marni to form the kaleidoscope of colour and texture.
Milos has used a super kitsch, eye candy approach to this shoot featured in and around a grimy suburbia house with a “fashionista squatter” feel to it. Boring, everyday “chores” are given a new lease on life with this duo; cooking eggs in the make do kitchen, knitting on the retro couch, playing on the bed with the carnival won oversized teddy bear and hitting that piñata off the clothes line in the backyard! - Kate Vandermeer

http://fuckyeahblackbeaut...umblr.com/

sammij said:

Fuck yeah!

I just love this shoot. I think it touches on a lot beyond skin (in simple tongue in cheek ways) like (gay marriage, or at least what constitutes a family. I see them as a couple with child doing mundane "family" stuff in the shoot), consumerism (Crocs Spongebob), adoption...

johnart said:

Its true there are a lot of different subjects that are hinted at through the shoot - i'm just so dazzled by all the colours! Absolutely gorgeous

sammij said:

Me too!!

I've got tomorrow's blog post all ready to go.

you know I rarely buy fashion magazines but have picked up acouple over the last week or so and am going "where's the black people!?". Nice thread John, lovely shoot, lovely clothes, lovely skin!
[Edited 9/17/09 12:28pm]

johnart said:

Are you familiar with photographer Catherine Opie's Domestic series?

Awesome shoot.

I wear a lot of bright colours, but my skin tone (if anything, it's a pale yellow ) just doesn't make the colours pop the way these models' skin does. Gorgeous.

thanks john they look beautiful.

sammij said:

yay sammi youre featured on there. i love that photoshoot.

johnart said:

That dress looks incredible on the model on the right.

Love ALEK!!!!!

jone70 said:

Just looked her up.

PunkMistress said:

Click the link. There's a mini dress with orange circles worn with hot pink boots. LOVE that one too on her.

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

I love her too! And I thought it was her at first but...
Nu Clear

Styling- Paul Bui

Photography - Milos Malli

Art Direction- Eliza Iredale

Hair/Make-up- Anastasia Pappas

Models- Kuei at Vivien's and Akeer at Priscillas

Full spread:
http://www.oystermag.com/...clear.html
One of our friends looks very similar (when we met she had short short hair and walked past our gallery, I thought it was Alek ).

Akeer Chut Deng: here's a video of her http://www.ftv.com/fashio...41&id=5682
Notice the length of Kuei's arms? http://www.modelmayhem.com/1284209

johnart said:

Who is the little kid in the sponge bob outfit?
6'1'' 70 pounds...
[Edited 9/17/09 15:31pm]

johnart....where are you?????!!!!! yeah, I'm annoying...

peacenlovealways said:

I know, eh? I weigh 105 and I'm only 4'11'', and most folk would say I'm skinny.

meow85 said:

I'm 4'9 84 pounds...people complain about me being skinny....but hey...she doesn't look sickly...she does look good.

peacenlovealways said:

The Blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.


[Edited 9/17/09 19:24pm]

peacenlovealways said:

that can't be accurate!

thekidsgirl said:

I was thinking that too. Cause I mean she's definitely superskinny but I would think she'd be bed-ridden.

johnart said:

Maybe she means 70kg? That is about 154 pounds, which seems kind of heavy, but not if she's really 6'1". She says she is based in Sydney, and her measurements seem to be in centimeters(?). There is no way she has a 60 inch bust and a 55 inch waist!

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

GAWD, her legs are like a MILE long - killer pic, she's fantastic

johnart said:

Not a big fan of fashion photography but that that pic is fun!

johnart said:

Amazingly gorgeous!!!

CalhounSq said:

I'm saying.

peacenlovealways said:

blanket