TransCity

L’Oreal categorically denies that it altered Beyoncé’s skin tone in the campaign for Féria hair colour.

But Cécile Narinx, editor in chief of the Dutch edition of ELLE, says: ‘The rule is: black does not sell.’

In the Dutch daily Trouw, Mrs. Narinx claims ELLE did a test last year with Beyoncé on the cover and another black model on the cover of ELLE Girl: ‘If they would have sold well, I would have sent out a press release stating that the old rule does not count anymore. But unfortunately both issues under performed.’

Carlein Kieboom, editor in chief of Yes Magazine in the Netherlands agrees: ‘Blondes sell better.’

As British newspaper The Independent already reported a couple of months ago, as a black model you hardly stand a chance with model agencies in the UK. Most models are white, Naomi Campell was one of the few exceptions.

In Europe, where ethnic-cultural diversity is growing by the day, the content of the majority of media is still developed from a white perspective. Could a possible election of Barack Obama as US President have a catalysing effect on Europe and bring about ‘change’ over here as well?