Diversity On The Runway Is Slightly Better, But It's Still Super White (INFOGRAPHIC)

The Runway Diversity Numbers Are In...

Although we're pleased with many of the trends sent down the New York Fashion Week runways, we wish model diversity was one of them.

The folks over at Jezebel.com have once again taken on the tedious, yet eye-opening, task of compiling its seasonal New York Fashion Week racial diversity report -- documenting the number of White, Black, Asian, Latina and Other represented in the shows-- and sadly little has changed.

According to Jezebel, based on the 148 Fall/Winter 2014 runway shows (excluding menswear) a total of 4,621 looks were presented and, of those looks, 985 were worn by models of color. That resulted in 78.68 percent of the outfits being shown by white models.

runway diversity

In comparison, last season (Spring/Summer 2014) that number was 79.98 percent making for a small improvement. However, it doesn't feel like a win since the percentage has remained at approximately 80 percent for the past six seasons.

While the number of black models increased from 8.08 percent last season to it's current total of 9.75 percent, Asian models experienced a drop from 8.1 percent to 7.67 percent this season, and Latina models regressed to 2.12 percent from their 3.19 percent mark last season. Jezebel's job was made even more difficult, as it had a hard time identifying the ethnic makeup of some models or categorizing mixed-race models -- resulting in the calculations not adding up to a full 100 percent. However, overall the chart sends the message that there is still more to be done when it comes to diversity.

On a brighter note, the slight increase in black models will no doubt please the Diversity Coalition, which has waged a campaign to inject more color (specifically models of African decent) on the runway. Led by fashion activist Bethann Hardison, the organization has called out designers who it believes are struggling with embracing diversity. The Coalition recently released a progress report since launching the campaign last September, which noted improvements -- yet is far from satisfied.

"So we will continue to watch and reveal season to season," writes the Diversity Coalition in its most recent missive. "Diversifying is not difficult. The resistance to do so is intriguing."

To that point, there were a few shows this past New York Fashion Week that failed to use any models of color -- like Tocca -- or decreased in its use -- like Calvin Klein. We're sure they will be hearing from Haridson and her colleagues. On the other hand, Jezebel points out designers such as Tracy Reese, Zac Posen, Diane von Furstenberg and Ohne Titel, amongst many, who have been consistent in casting diversified shows.

Head over to Jezebel to see the full report, including an amazing infographic charting the racial diversity at New York Fashion Week from 2008 to the present.

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Jourdan Dunn

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