Modelo negra rompe los cánones de belleza asiáticos
Desde sus inicios, Harmony “Anne-Marie” Ilunga se dio cuenta de una cosa: apenas había modelos como ella en las revistas de Hong Kong. Así que esta mujer negra de 22 años decidió luchar para romper los clichés de la moda china
Harmony "Anne-Marie" Ilunga This picture taken on November 6, 2020 shows Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga (R), 22, who moved to Hong Kong as a child refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and another model presenting creations during the 'Harmony IV' fashion show in Hong Kong, which aims to celebrate the city's diversity. - As a young black woman modelling in Hong Kong, Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga rarely saw anyone who looked like her in the magazines. Now the 22-year-old is trying to change that -- one model at a time. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP) (ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP)
La ola “Black Lives Matter” puso sobre la mesa el debate sobre la representación de las modelos en Estados Unidos o en Europa. Pero en Asia, la moda sigue dominada por el ideal de la mujer delgada y de piel clara, muy alejada de la realidad de la región.
“Cuando iba a las agencias me decían que preferían modelos blancas a las negras”, cuenta a la AFP Ilunga, que llegó como refugiada a Hong Kong desde la República Democrática del Congo. “Tenía 17 años y fue muy duro”.
Harmony "Anne-Marie" Ilunga TOPSHOT - This picture taken on November 6, 2020 shows Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga, 22, who moved to Hong Kong as a child refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, having her makeup applied in the backstage area before the 'Harmony IV' fashion show in Hong Kong, which aims to celebrate the city's diversity. - As a young black woman modelling in Hong Kong, Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga rarely saw anyone who looked like her in the magazines. Now the 22-year-old is trying to change that -- one model at a time. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP) (ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP)
En esta ciudad de 7,5 millones de habitantes, y cerca de 600.000 personas que no son de origen chino, impera el canon de las modelos “grandes, de piel clara y delgadas”, explica Ilunga. Una tendencia que también se da en la China continental.
“Así que empecé a utilizar productos para blanquearme la piel, solo por seguir la norma”, afirma.
Harmony "Anne-Marie" Ilunga This picture taken on November 6, 2020 shows Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga (C), 22, who moved to Hong Kong as a child refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, getting ready in the backstage area before the 'Harmony IV' fashion show in Hong Kong, which aims to celebrate the city's diversity. - As a young black woman modelling in Hong Kong, Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga rarely saw anyone who looked like her in the magazines. Now the 22-year-old is trying to change that -- one model at a time. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP) (ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP)
Rechazada allá donde iba, Ilunga decidió fundar en 2018 su propia agencia para dar visibilidad a modelos sin que importara su procedencia.
“La representación tiene un peso enorme”, señala. Ilunga ve la moda como un arma para cambiar la mentalidad y que las mujeres no sientan la necesidad de adaptarse a una norma.
Harmony "Anne-Marie" Ilunga This picture taken on November 6, 2020 shows Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga (L), 22, who moved to Hong Kong as a child refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other models getting ready in the backstage area before the 'Harmony IV' fashion show in Hong Kong, which aims to celebrate the city's diversity. - As a young black woman modelling in Hong Kong, Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga rarely saw anyone who looked like her in the magazines. Now the 22-year-old is trying to change that -- one model at a time. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP) (ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP)