Colourism and Fashion
Ever since I started modelling, I’ve been rejected, cancelled and called out for being too tan or, believe it or not, what people even call “black” here. Whitewashing me in photos to the point I barely recognize myself. Some Makeup artists don’t even have darker shades of foundation on set because it doesn’t fit the beauty standards. Here is a small example of what I have experienced in the past. Don’t get me wrong, the makeup did the first photo you see here but scroll below to see what the client asked for. They went to buy this ever so-called BB cream that you can find in minimarts that are well known for topping a layer to make the skin are fair as possible after seeing me. Their reason was that I did not look “good” on camera with my natural skin tone compared to another fair male model. This wasn’t for fashion, nor was it applied to make my skin appear more smooth in any way.
“I get that models should be able to transform into anything, but there’s a fine line between colourism and fashion.”
– Dorothy Petzold –
IT IS REAL, AND IT NEEDS TO STOP!
Beauty shouldn’t be defined this way. Most Thai people have naturally beautiful tan skin, but I never see a tan girl starring in a movie. I never see a tan girl starring in commercials. Where are the commercials for healthy skin that doesn’t have the word “lightening/brightening/whitening”. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you are beautiful no matter what tone you are, don’t let wrong ideals fool you.