Abstract

Karen Alexander and Giusy de Ceglia will discuss the world of fashion and the challenges Alexander faced as a black model. Muse for photographers including Peter Lindbergh—who famously photographed Alexander for the cover of Vogue in January 1989—Alexander will share her personal accounts and advocate for the value of representation in a whitewashed industry. Alexander has been outspoken about the obstacles she’s faced, noting, for example, how over the course of her career of 37 years, in 2021 she was photographed with natural hair for the first time. Expect to hear insights and insider views through De Ceglia and Alexander’s experiences and reflections.

Speakers

Supermodel Karen Alexander has been featured on the covers of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Elle, Mademoiselle, Glamour, and Mirabella among others. She worked with renowned photographers including Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Gilles Bensimon, and Peter Lindbergh. Alexander has done campaigns for Cover Girl, Tiffany & Co, and L’Oreal, among many others. Notably, she was one of the first black models to be seen in Chanel beauty campaigns. Alexander has broken barriers for models of colour in her work.

Fashion photographer and writer Giusy de Ceglia started taking pictures when she was eleven years old with a $30 camera and became a pro at eighteen. She is a steady contributor to Vogue Italia online (Vogue.it) and Vogue Talents, shooting runway photos, editorials, major international fashion events and, most recently, as a writer interviewing actors such as Andra Day and athlete and activist, Megan Rapinoe.

Convenor

Dr. Janna Schoenberger

Access the lecture

• Zoom link: https://uva-live.zoom.us/j/82752134748