S. Africa signs up black models from Britain

Press, 7 October 1988, Page 10

S. Africa signs up black models from Britain

By

ARLEEN HARRIS

Black models in Britain are being tempted by lucrative contracts to fill a growing demand in South Africa for black models with international experience.

The work is expected to bring them into conflict with the British AntiApartheid Movement, which has been instrumental in blocking lucrative concerts by white entertainers in South Africa. A number of musicians were targeted by the movement after appearing in Sun City, a leisure complex built in a Pre-toria-created "tribal state.”

Mike Terry, of the AntiApartheid Movement, said: “We will be monitoring the work of black models in South Africa and deciding what action to take. This is not only in breach of United Nations policy on working in South Africa but is also a breach of the U.N. cultural boycott. “We have sought to dissuade people from working there. It is particularly invidious that South African are seeking to exploit racist prejudice in an industry in order to give a cosmetic impression that change is taking place. “We hope that just as black artists were initially seduced into going to Sun City for the money and have now been persuaded to stop, black models will also stop.” Black models who spoke to “The Observer” said they were amazed at

the amount of work there was for them. A spokesman for a South African modelling agency in Johannesburg, G 3, said British blacks have the experience and expertise which local South African blacks cannot match. Gavin Robinson, the South African-born director of Gavins, a Mayfair agency, said: “There is a real demand for European black models in South Africa. I know of three black models who went over. They all did really well. They got inhouse modelling work, and a lot of television and magazine work for large companies.” Edward Mitchell, director of Nevs, another modelling agency, said, “There is certainly a demand for black models in South Africa. There is a lot of work for them. I sent a black guy out there two months ago. He did really well. “Models have to earn their living from wherever they can get the work. They have to pay their mortgages like anybody else.” The large black consumer market in South Africa has created a demand for black Europeanised models for advertisements for both the white market and the growing black market. “The Observer” spoke to one black model who had appeared in vodka advertisements in Europe, and worked for Marks and Spencer and Top Shop. She is now working as a beautician in London.

She spent six months in Johannesburg after being given a free ticket to go out to judge a modelling competition. She was asked to stay on and work for G 3.

She said, “I earned a lot of money — $29,000 in six months. In England I would barely be able to earn half as much.” She explained, “The reason European models are a success is because it is such a small market they need new faces. I did an awful lot of work on TV for magazines and for fashion shows. I was paid for some jobs a higher rate than other models. There were several other black models from England out there at the same time.” She added, “I might go back there for a short time but I would not go out there to live. I could open my mouth and say what I though but other blacks could not, they would lose their jobs.” Robert Dorman, from North London, spent four months in Johannesburg and earned $20,000. He said he could not get the same work in Britain.

Ironically, black fashion experts feel that many models are attracted to work in South Africa because of the racial discrimination they face in Britain.

Lorraine Griffiths, Living editor at “The Voice,” a newspaper for black Britons, explained that black British models face discrimination in getting work in Britain.

“People look for lighter-skinned, Europeanlooking girls. This makes the work difficult to get.” —Copyright London Observer Service

‘Amazed at the amount of work for them’

‘They face racial discrimination in Britain’