SEBASTIAN KIM RESPONDS TO THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING HIS RECENT STORY FOR NUMERO FRANCE
I would like to apologize for any misunderstanding around my recent photos for Numero France. It was never my intention (nor Numero’s) to portray a black woman in this story. Our idea and concept for this fashion shoot was based on 60's characters of Talitha Getty, Verushka and Marissa Berenson with middle eastern and Moroccan fashion inspiration. We at no point attempted to portray an African women by painting her skin black. We wanted a tanned and golden skin to be showcased as part of the beauty aesthetic of this shoot.
It saddens me that people would interpret this as a mockery of race. I believe that the very unfortunate title “African Queen” (which I was not aware of prior to publication) did a lot to further people’s misconceptions about these images. It was certainly never my intention to mock or offend anyone and I wholeheartedly apologize to anyone who was offended.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Kim
what's the big deal?...if anything it's affirming dark skin as an aspirational interpretation of beauty...just as many critics say white/light skin/hair is too often portrayed as ideal. Rhianna can become "Asian" for her Princess of China video, Beyoncé can change skin tone like a chameleon, but that's Ok? For me it is. Dress up and make yourself up like who you want and like whoever inspires you. Should that only be someone who belongs to your same ethnic group or skin tone? I bet that most people under 30 probably don't even know what blackface was and surely wouldn't associate those stigmatizing characterizations with this type of artistic fashion photoshoot.
Posted by: Aaron | February 27, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Sebastien,
I am a fan of your work and I do know that many times in the fashion industry (well any industry actually) decisions are made by committee. Having said that, to even have concepted this as a story portraying Middle Eastern or Moroccan women without actually casting any is offensive. Clearly, the title says it all and whether or not you were just a bystander to this mockery, as soon as the make-up was applied and the model walked on set, warning bells should have gone off.
I am so over this face painting business in fashion. There are so many other concepts to pursue, it's sad that Numero chose this one. At what point do we in the industry say no to jobs that ask us to clearly mock other cultures when there are countless ways to honor them?
Case in point: http://i-donline.com/authors/chen-man/
I.
Posted by: Ingrid | February 27, 2013 at 11:50 AM
This sends a STRONG negative message to little Brown girls everywhere. Opportunities are already scarce for women of color in the industry and this only exacerbates the issue. Shame on everyone involved!
Posted by: PntszdinFluence | February 27, 2013 at 01:23 PM
I don't get it. Fashion photography has always been about being creative with both concepts and make up. This appears to me to be a case of some over-sensitivity towards racism, which this clearly isn't. Yes, I think the title "African Queen" was unfortunate, but as for this fashion spread, I see nothing even vaguely racially biased or "mocking" in it. On the contrary, I agree with Aaron, it appears more like a celebration of beauty.
Posted by: Greg | February 27, 2013 at 01:50 PM
I will definitely start painting myself black and put Moroccan clothes from now on..! well done thank you for the Idea..! By the way, beautiful Photos..! Art goes beyond Social and racial issues even though some time its an interpretation of reality, and this is definitely not an interpretation but pure imagination and a risk taken with pure sensitivity...Well Done..!
It is true, that the title lacks imagination...since its taken from a movie, they could just have used "Aladin".....
Posted by: Julio | February 28, 2013 at 02:15 AM
I appreciate your response and explaination. But why not just hire a dark skinned model? It's not like there is a shortage of brown models who would have jumped at the chance to work with you. It comes off as offensive because the people being celebrated are seemingly past over for opportunities to showcase what they are naturally born with.
You can do as you please. But it does raise the question...why not just hire a black or brown woman?
Posted by: CJ | February 28, 2013 at 03:43 PM
What you all are not getting is there are lack of opportunities for non-celeb models of color. One of them could have rocked this shoot. There are plenty of white girls in mags all over the world. Let someone with naturally occurring melanin have a chance....
Posted by: Jewell | March 02, 2013 at 09:31 AM
Sebastien,
Screw them all. Your work is excellent. I seriously doubt that you were responsible for the concept. You were given an assignment,what all of us in the commercial photo business are really after, and you executed it with taste. Congratulations.
Controversy breeds interest. Interest brings attention. Attention brings work. Unless your work was just shit poor or obviously scandalous, this should lead to more work. Never appologise, your detractors won't believe it and your friends won't care.
Posted by: Rick Bailey | March 02, 2013 at 11:31 AM
Having work in advertising for ad-agency as a Art Buyer on print with many photographers, all I can says is good work & wow Life and it's changes. Best wishes for your great work.
Mary Lovett, Long Beach, CA
Print Art Buyer
Posted by: Mary Lovett Art Buyer | March 06, 2013 at 07:58 PM