Which Race Dominates the Modeling Industry? The Real Face of Fashion
Who Are the Faces of Fashion? The Modeling Industry Up Close
Fashion can feel like a universe of its own, and it’s not just about wild outfits or photo shoots with wind machines. Take a flip through any big fashion magazine, or watch those glitzy runway shows in Paris or Milan, and one thing jumps out: the models. But have you ever stopped to wonder, "What race are most models?" Maybe you’ve noticed a particular look repeated over and over—especially if you’ve walked by a massive billboard in Dubai Mall or scrolled through brand-new campaigns from Dior or Gucci. That “look” isn’t just a random trend. It’s a mirror reflecting how the industry picks its faces, often revealing something deeper about our world.
Not so long ago, most models you saw on TV, in print, or even at local Dubai fashion events had one thing in common—they tended to be young, quite thin, and very fair-skinned, often of European descent. This isn’t just imagination. Real numbers back this up: a 2023 Models.com analysis of top advertising campaigns found that nearly 60% of featured models were white, largely from Western Europe, Russia, or America. You see this reflected at the most famous fashion weeks. In New York’s Spring 2024 runways, out of nearly 2,700 model slots counted by The Fashion Spot, white models made up about 54%. Asian models grabbed 21%, Black models 17%, Latino 6%, and the rest were from mixed or Indigenous backgrounds. Sure, the numbers are slowly shifting (even in places like Dubai, where global brands push for more variety), but there’s still a default "face" when it comes to the world’s most-wanted models.
You might ask: why this pattern? Partly, it’s the legacy of decades where American and European tastemakers set the agenda—what’s beautiful, who gets on stage, who does the next big perfume ad. It’s also a marketing play. Big brands tend to stick with what they know sells in global markets, and that’s often a white, European look sprinkled with just enough diversity for the Instagram era. Does it mean other races can’t make it? Not at all. We’ve seen real breakthroughs: Liu Wen (China), Adut Akech (South Sudan/Australia), and Naomi Campbell (UK/Jamaica) smashed barriers, landed epic campaigns, and became household names. But—if you’re counting billboards or flipping glossy mags in most parts of the world, the odds are you’ll see more white faces than any other group, especially in higher-paid jobs.
But hold up. There’s a twist here. More brands, particularly luxury giants and edgy upstarts alike, are getting called out for looking the same year after year. Social media’s leveled the playing field, with activists and young fans demanding a different kind of beauty—one that mirrors real people. In 2024, you actually saw Rihanna’s Fenty campaigns packed with models of all shades, shapes, and backgrounds. That same season, London and Paris featured their most racially diverse runways ever. Dubai’s own Arab Fashion Week in 2023 put women from Lebanon, Sudan, Morocco, and India in the spotlight. We aren’t close to “equal representation” yet, but the picture is changing—if sometimes slowly and with plenty of pushback.
For aspiring models reading this—maybe you’re dreaming of walking for Chanel, or you hope to be Dubai’s next billboard superstar—don’t be discouraged by old standards. There’s a new openness; brands are hunting for faces that break the old mold. Still, knowing the realities helps: white, European-descended models remain the industry’s most common race, especially at the top tiers. If you don’t fit that template, stay sharp, build a strong portfolio, and look for agencies with a real track record on diversity, not just lip service. Trust me, the industry is hungry for fresh faces who stand out in a good way.
Why Does Race Matter in Modeling? Context and Consequences
Race isn’t just a box to tick on casting sheets for fashion houses—it has a big ripple effect, both inside and outside the runway tent. For the longest time, the modeling industry sold a fantasy (and let’s be honest, it still does). But fantasy isn’t neutral. Who gets picked as the standard of beauty can shape how millions feel about themselves, especially young people growing up constantly bombarded with perfect faces and bodies plastered everywhere. If you’re a girl in Lagos, Mumbai, or São Paulo and never see someone who looks like you wearing the “it” designer, it brings up all sorts of questions. “Is something wrong with me? Will I ever fit in?”
Representation—or the lack of it—matters a ton. It’s not just about fairness or politics. When brands put only one type of beauty out front, they set expectations for what’s desirable, lovable, or even professional. Years of scientific studies confirm this: repeated exposure to narrow beauty ideals can hurt self-esteem and mental health, leading to everything from body insecurity to anxiety, not just in teenagers but adults too. Flip the script—put diverse faces out there, and you open doors for confidence, inclusion, and even better sales. Yeah, you read that right—brands that embrace diversity make more money because their buyers feel seen and included. That’s why Fenty Beauty hit a billion dollars in record time, while older “exclusive” brands scrambled to catch up.
Here in Dubai, modeling’s roots dig into a unique patchwork. Fashion Arabia, Dubai Modest Fashion week, and luxury hotels all pull models from a spectrum of backgrounds—Arab, Persian, South Asian, African, European. Yet under the glitter, some leftovers from Western beauty standards persist. Agencies sometimes lean hard toward lighter-skinned or Euro-featured talent. Why? It comes down to what global fashion buyers expect and what “sells” internationally (at least in the eyes of boardrooms in Paris and New York). But with the city growing as a global hub, there’s more room every day for faces representing wider Asian, African, and Arab communities. Just check out campaigns at City Walk or La Mer—you’ll spot differences compared to the cookie-cutter vibe in certain other fashion capitals.
If you’re thinking about pushing your way into this world, knowing the game helps. Research which markets value what type of look and where things are changing fastest. For instance, East Asia has a stronger appetite for Asian models; the US market, while still skewed white, has pushed more for Black and Latino representation each year since 2020. Even big events like the Miss Universe pageant have gotten more global with time, with contestants from every continent and more winners of color since 2015 than in the two decades before.
But here’s some truth: change happens in fits and starts. While the headlines celebrate "the most diverse line-up ever" every season, if you scratch beneath the surface, a lot of non-white models are confined to certain roles—"urban" looks, “ethnically ambiguous" characters, or themed nationality runways. So if you see only one Black or brown face in a group of twenty, it might not be a random accident, but a carefully staged decision by the brand. Accounts from models themselves—like Anok Yai or Halima Aden—show how tough it can be to break out of the “token diversity” role and score the primo, well-paid jobs.
It pays to play smart. Agencies that show real racial diversity on their social feeds and client rosters are more trustworthy. Don’t just trust the agency’s website—look up who actually books jobs and appears in campaigns. Some models, like Winnie Harlow (Canada/Jamaica) and Duckie Thot (Australia/Sudan), have flipped their so-called “outsider” looks into global fame, partly by using social media to sidestep the old gatekeepers. That’s a solid strategy for fresh faces who don’t fit the old white-European mold: leverage platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and local talent showcases to build buzz and demand in your own way.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Racial Trends and Paths Forward
If you want to get technical (and sometimes the best tea is in the details), let’s break it down. Top agencies in Paris, New York, and London—think IMG, Elite, Ford—still tip heavy toward white, European faces. On rosters for Paris Fashion Week 2024, a whopping 66% of runway models were white. The percentage of models identified as Black or African was 21%, Asian (East and South) at 9%, and Latino or Hispanic at just 3%. The Middle Eastern and Arab models carved out less than 2%, a number that surprises people in multilingual cities like Dubai. Walk into local casting calls at Dubai’s leading agencies and you’ll see a bigger variety, reflecting the city’s melting-pot reality, but the top international jobs still skew the same way as the big four fashion capitals.
Why do these numbers matter? For one, money flows up the fame ladder—editorials, luxury brand contracts, runway exclusives, and high-paying campaigns tend to go to those at the very top. When the upper ranks lean so white, it leaves less room for others to build a big-name career or snag repeat, well-compensated work. That’s why so many models of color (and their fans) keep one eye on the “Diversity Report Cards” posted online every fashion season, celebrating the rare wins and calling out the usual suspects when old patterns repeat.
You’ll spot some clear exceptions. The rise of K-beauty and global K-pop music sent a fresh wave of East and Southeast Asian models onto runways and campaign ads, from Seoul to New York. African models have made massive inroads, too, especially in recent years—Ugandan model Aamito Lagum won Africa’s Next Top Model and signed with major European agencies, while Adut Akech became the first model of color to close Chanel’s haute couture in nearly two decades. Yet, for all the buzz, when you zoom out and check top-earning or “supermodel” lists year by year, white faces dominate. The late 2010s saw more diversity, but when COVID slowed global travel, casting diversity took a step back before rebounding slightly in 2023–2024 as shows returned to normal.
So, what’s next if you’re eager to jump in? First off, know your strengths—if you’ve got a “look” the market craves, like sharp cheekbones, striking eyes, or unique hair, play these up in your shots. Don’t shy away from what makes you different. The industry used to squash individuality, but now, being memorable is your secret weapon. Build your portfolio with local designers or photographers (even in Dubai, plenty of up-and-coming talents are looking for collaboration) before trying to crack Paris or Milan. Tap into online scouting contests, too; some of today’s most wanted models were discovered on Instagram by scouts searching for real, authentic beauty outside the usual hangouts.
And let’s not skip the day-to-day grind: runway walking is tough, castings can test your patience, and “feedback” about your look can, frankly, sting. It helps to build a support circle exactly like I have with Maple, my cat—loyal, non-judgmental, and always down for a snack when things get tough. Mental resilience is your second-best accessory after your actual style, if you ask me. The modeling world rewards grit and those who play the long game. Don’t be afraid to ask questions at every meeting, and don’t sign contracts without reading the fine print. Lastly, remember: for every ten “no’s,” there’s a “yes” that could launch you, regardless of your background.
As we move deeper into 2025, fashion insiders say real change is possible only if brands, media, and fans stay vocal about demanding authentic diversity, not just a curated slot for “minorities” when the cameras are on. If you’re reading from Dubai or dreaming of making it big, the reality is that model race statistics still swing toward white, European looks—yet the door cracks wider every year for new faces from every corner of the globe. It’s about standing out, staying proud of your roots, and never being afraid to show up as yourself, even if that look hasn’t topped the runways—yet.
