Renee Thompson is trying to make it as a top fashion model in New York. She's got the looks, the walk and the drive. But she's a black model in a world where white women represent the standard of beauty. Agencies rarely hire black models. And when they do, they want them to look "like white girls dipped in chocolate."

The Colour of Beauty is a shocking short documentary that examines racism in the fashion industry. Is a black model less attractive to designers, casting directors and consumers? What is the colour of beauty?

This film is part of the Work For All series, produced by the National Film Board of Canada, with the participation of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

2010, 16 min 50 s

Also available in French

Directed by
Elizabeth St. Philip

Produced by
Alexandra Yanofsky

Production Agency
National Film Board of Canada

Director
Elizabeth St. Philip

Producer
Alexandra Yanofsky

Line producers
Aisling Chin-Yee
Marie-France Côté

Categories
Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism | Discrimination | Women | Working Life | Work and Labour Relations | Discrimination and Equal Rights

Watch The Colour of Beauty online at NFB.ca