Watch The Colour of Beauty

The Colour of Beauty is an evocative 2010 documentary film that delves into the fascinating world of the fashion industry. As the title suggests, the movie exposes the colorism and racial discrimination that exist in this industry through the experiences of a young Black model Aya Jones. The film was directed by Elizabeth St. Philip and produced by EyeSteelFilm, a production company that specializes in documentaries. The Colour of Beauty premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2010 and has since been screened at numerous film festivals worldwide.

The documentary opens with Aya Jones, a young aspiring model from France, excitedly packing her bags to embark on her first international modelling gig in New York City. Aya is Black and more specifically of West African descent, which is quite rare in the white-dominated world of high fashion. Despite her excitement, Aya is nervous about how she will be received by the fashion industry.

As the documentary follows Aya's journey, we are introduced to several fashion experts who attempt to explain the subtle nuances of beauty and discrimination in the industry. We meet Tyra Banks, the supermodel and fashion mogul, who has personally experienced discrimination because of her skin color. She explains how the fashion industry often prizes a "European" look and is hesitant to embrace diversity.

We also meet Bethann Hardison, a former model and activist who famously spoke out against the lack of diversity in the fashion industry in the 1970s. Hardison is shown to be as fierce today as she was decades ago, and she continues to inspire change in the industry.

As Aya begins her photoshoots, it becomes clear that her experiences are not unique. The fashion industry is revealed as a deeply problematic space, where black and brown models are often relegated to supporting roles or simply ignored completely.

Throughout the documentary, Aya's struggles are used to highlight the larger issues of racism and discrimination that permeate the fashion industry. Though Aya's talent and beauty are undeniable, she is reduced to nothing more than a prop in many of her photoshoots. She is styled with an emphasis on her " exotic" African features, which often comes at the expense of her individuality and her right to simply "be."

Despite these obstacles, Aya works hard to prove herself as a model, and her success is a bittersweet reminder that even the most talented models of color still face systemic racism within the industry.

As the documentary draws to a close, we are left with a sense of hope that change is coming. The fashion industry may be slow to evolve, but the efforts of activists like Hardison and the resilience of models like Aya are leading the way towards a more inclusive future.

In conclusion, The Colour of Beauty is an insightful and thought-provoking film that provides a revealing look at the fashion industry's deeply entrenched race issues. Aya Jones's journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity and individuality, and the need to combat the pervasive discrimination that is present in many industries. If you are interested in fashion, sociology, or simply stories of resilience and determination, this is a documentary you will not want to miss.

The Colour of Beauty is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 17 minutes.