This Black Model Recreated Famous Fashion Campaigns To Make a Sobering Point

Deddeh Howard

Meet Deddeh Howard, a 27-year-old model, medical student, and fashion blogger raised in Liberia but living in Los Angeles.

Why is this not me

She collaborated with her photographer boyfriend Raffael Dickreuter to re-create some of the world's biggest modelling campaigns including ones by Dolce & Gabbana and Victoria's Secret as "a call for more diversity" in the industry, in a series called Black Mirror. She told BuzzFeed News: "I thought it was perfect because we are mirroring two images. When you [black women] look in the mirror you question: ‘This could be me, why is this not me?"

Discrimination

Howard said the series, which took about three months to make, was inspired by the discrimination she faced as a model: "Agencies would often tell me, ‘We like your look but there's a black girl already'. It shouldn't be limited to just one black girl; there can be more than one!" She added: "It's as if they [agencies] are ashamed to represent diversity. It's very painful and it made me feel insecure and bad of myself."

A message

With Black Mirror she wanted to send a message that models of colour, especially black models, are just as gorgeous as anyone else, and should be at the forefront of campaigns.

A question to all

Howard said she finds it "unbelievable" and "bizarre" that there are hardly any models of colour featured in fashion magazines. "There are many beautiful black models and they are not represented the way they should be," she said.

Right accessories

Howard said gathering the right clothes and accessories was "quite difficult", but definitely "worthwhile".

As real as possible

Dickreuter said they worked hard to make their photos match the real campaigns as accurately as possible.

For example, it took two months to find a similar motorcycle for the re-creation of the Guess advert featuring Gigi Hadid. He said he is "very proud" of Howard and "thrilled" they managed to pull the project off.

Believe in

"I hope to show the world that it is time for all of us being seen," she continued. "Just like a Gisele Bündchen, Kate Moss, or Candice Swanepoel gets to travel the world, shoot the most amazing campaigns and live an exciting life to inspire young girls, let's give the next generation something to believe in."

Inspiration

Despite Black Mirror only having been live for a short period of time, Howard said she was thrilled at the response. "I'm very grateful people feel the same that I do, people are telling me that I'm an inspiration to them and it feels unreal. We should keep fighting for what we believe in."