Australian supermodel Ajak Deng’s manager says fashion industry prefers to spend big budgets on white models

SUPERMODEL Ajak Deng’s manager says the Australian fashion industry prefers to spend big budgets on “caucasian girls” rather than “dark skinned” models.

Sunday Telegraph Fashion. Undated image of Ajak Deng for River Island and The Iconic, single use only supplied by ARC Factory

MELBOURNE supermodel Ajak Deng’s manager says the Australian fashion industry prefers to spend big budgets on “caucasian girls” rather than “dark skinned” models.

Stephen Bucknall, of FRM Model Management, said he struggles to book Australian jobs for Deng, who has starred overseas for Louis Vuitton, Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino, and will feature in 2016 campaigns for Givenchy and Marc Jacobs.

Ajak Deng models for River Island and The Iconic

Bucknall told Confidential: “Ajak has said to me many times, it saddens her there isn’t more work for dark skinned girls in Australia, as she would like to book more work here.

“The budgets probably aren’t big enough for (Deng), because she’s a big money earner, but they will spend the money on a Miranda Kerr or a Jess Hart.

“They’ll book the big caucasian girls, spend the big dollars, and fly them in from LA, but I’m yet to see them book a dark skinned girl in that way,” Bucknall said.

He added: “The Australian market doesn’t want to take the risk of using darker models as mainstream models. But if you go to New York, you’ll see African American, Asian, and all these diverse cultures. Australia just doesn’t get it.”

Model manager Stephen Bucknall (right) and Lin Li

Deng has featured in local campaigns for River Island and Mimco.

Multicultural models from the FRM stable, including Deng’s sister Sahara, will walk in the upcoming Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Bucknall has also signed former Neighbours star Krista Vendy for modelling work.

FRM’s celebrity division includes reality star Suzi Taylor, presenter Lee Chan and wrestler Orlando Jordan.