Rihanna wants more black models in fashion industry

Wellington (ANI): Pop diva Rihanna says that being in the high-flying fashion industry is a 'big deal" for a black girl and that there should be more black models in fashion. The Russian Roulette singer believes her advertising campaign for fashion house Gucci was a "big deal" because it was such a break from convention.

"It's clear there are definitely fewer black women in the high-fashion industry. One of the things I respected most about Gucci was that they did a print campaign with me. I'm a black girl on a fashion spread for Gucci - that was a big deal," Stuff.co.nz quoted her as saying.

She even voiced her appreciation for designers who go beyond the usual slender, white women models and promote diversity on the catwalk. "I respect designers who aren't afraid to go outside the box. I went to a Jean Paul Gaultier show, and I saw girls who are thicker than me, beautiful and voluptuous and different ethnicities. That made me so excited. I thought, Okay, I can work that, for sure," she said to Elle magazine.

She added, "Fashion is not a burden for me. It's quite the opposite. Fashion is just like music a great way to show my creativity. Style and design are very important for my development as an artist. And it's of course extremely fun."