Colour of Beauty | Call for Submissions!

Note: This post was originally published by Christina Jung of Schema Magazine.

When all of us at Schema Magazine first heard about Work for All, the National Film Board's (NFB) initiative to raise awareness of racism in the workplace, it was an instantaneous love at first sight! We were was thrilled to jump on board and support NFB.

To make this partnership ever so memorable, Schema Magazine is partnering with the Museum of Vancouver's (MOV) upcoming fashion exhibit, Fox, Fluevog & Friends, and NFB's Work for All film series, to launch a community event and screening for Colour of Beauty, a short film about the lack of visibility diversity and minority representation in the fashion industry. This event takes place at 7pm on May 16th at the Museum of Vancouver.

With modeling agencies pining over models like Naomi Campbell, who is considered as the epitome of a "white model dipped in chocolate," it stands to reason that there a serious lack of diversity within fashion. But we're dying to hear what you think.

Have you or someone you know struggled to be a model, agent or designer because of ethnicity or race? How does the fashion industry or advertising shape mainstream attitudes around the "colour of beauty?"

Send us your stories, perspectives, experiences and thoughts about how race plays a role in fashion, beauty and identity. All submissions will get published on SchemaMag.ca, and the top three submissions will be showcased on NFB's website and read at the panel discussion on May 16th.

This is an opportunity for everyone involved in the fashion industry, both producers and consumers, to participate in a rare and exciting discussion featuring a panel of industry professionals, artists and policymakers.

Here are some basic submission guidelines to help you:

Think outside the page: Express yourself in anyway your heart desires. It doesn't have to be written. Photo essays, videos, or even poetry - be creative!

Tell us your story: Just tell us your story as you would tell a friend. Entertain and inform us through your story.

For writers: If you'd like to express your experiences through writing, please keep it between 500 to 1500 words. We love hearing and seeing things through new perspectives, so if you have more than story, we encourage you to send them separately.

Introduce yourself: We enjoy meeting new people. Please include a brief biographical note with your story to help us get to know you.
Please send your submissions, proposals, greetings, ideas and pitches directly to submit[at]schemamag.ca

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE FRIDAY MAY 14, 2010. More information about the upcoming event will be released shortly.