New York Fashion Week is a celebration of the city and its diversity. The runways should reflect this. So, for 2017, we at the CFDA will continue to encourage designers to cast their shows with this in mind. Bethann Hardison, who was instrumental in the Diversity Guidelines, shared her thoughts for the New Year.

“Fight for the model of color as hard as their white counterpart. And don’t let stylists, casting directors, etc. direct how to manage your model,” she advises.  “Maintain your power and develop their career. And please end designer exclusives. A model of color needs to be seen at more than one design house.”

“The last few years [experienced] a great growth and appreciation for models of color with far less hesitation,” she added. “That needs to continue — now more than ever!”