In this day and age where negativity is rampant, we celebrate little victories. Just as Paris Fashion Week ended, luxury brand Louis Vuitton took a step in the right direction by featuring their first black model to open this season’s runway show. It seems so simple in concept, but this is pretty much groundbreaking for the brand. In the 163 years that LV has existed, they just marked a historic moment when it comes to diversity and inclusivity in fashion.
The star is no other than Janaye Furman, a model-slash-drama student from Southern California. According to Vogue, she was tapped by casting director Ashley Brokaw to walk for LV’s fall 2017 show. Janaye has actually shown up in their editorials and campaigns, but this is quite a feat.
She took her excitement to Instagram as she posted her photo with the caption, “What a blessing!! Wow! This is such an incredible and unbelievable moment!” She also shared that this is her first time to open a runway show, “Not only for my first opening show to be Louis Vuitton, but to make history as the first African-American girl to open LV?!!” You can totally sense her excitement and we’re right here celebrating with her.
“I’m so glad more women of color are rocking the runways,” she adds. “It’s so important that we stand up for ourselves and make a difference in this world. I’m so happy I was able to tell this beautiful story.” Janaye then proceeds to fan-girl over the coat she wore.
As we celebrate this new fashion victory, it’s also a reminder of how far the fashion industry still has to go when it comes to diversity. Let’s hope this causes ripples that inspire more changes. For now, congratulations, Janaye Furman!
[Vogue and Refinery29]
Photo courtesy of Vogue
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