Everyone has been buzzing about the Black family on Ralph Lauren’s home page for various reasons. Besides the family being African-American and the face of the brand’s online holiday shopping ad, their melanin is popping and they are wearing their hair as it grows from their scalps…naturally that is.
The interwebs are praising the designer for his steps towards diversity and inclusion. On top of featuring people of color, Lauren chose to highlight a Black family with a mother and father, which is not something seen often in the media.
This YBF magic of a #RalphLauren campaign is ????????. https://t.co/5SFRXhc3JR pic.twitter.com/sUF4kUGts5
— YBF CHIC (@TheYBF) November 30, 2016
RALPH LAUREN IS A FREAKING GENIUS! WHILE THIS BLM MOVEMENT IS GOING THINGS LIKE THIS WILL ADVANCE HIM IN SALES BECAUSE OF THIS BLACK FAMILY https://t.co/F8vXBkfjm6
— Golden ✨ (@LoveChelsayyye) November 30, 2016
And not just mixed or ambiguous black RT @aroueno: A black family on the Ralph Lauren site ???? pic.twitter.com/gLTuT8AnHU
— #BagDaddy, MBA (@PrezLife) November 30, 2016
While we may be thinking that Lauren is breaking norms by highlighting people of color, he is no rookie to this game. He did exclusively sign Tyson Beckford to represent his brand back in the 1990s, which set Beckford’s career over the top. Not to mention Chris Collins, a recent graduate at the time, scheduled to attend medical school. Collins was introduced to photographer Richard Phibbs, who worked frequently with Lauren, and has been representing Lauren’s campaign for nearly two decades now.
Some folks are excited about the Black feature, while others…not so much.
So we’re supposed to celebrate the fact that Ralph Lauren decided to jump on the diversity bandwagon by featuring a black family? Whatever!
— Ezinne (@nilegirl) November 30, 2016
It’s still trumps America now RT @aroueno: A black family on the Ralph Lauren site ???? pic.twitter.com/JmRSJTboQV
— Carlos Reedriguez (@LosReedriguez) November 30, 2016
Regardless of how people feel, the photo is beautiful. The image is a positive depiction of a healthy and happy Black family, which is not seen as much as it should be.
What are your thoughts? Comment below!