Balmain Supports Black Actresses at Cannes
Olivier Rousteing has put his support behind the women of the Noire N’est Pas Mon Metier, French for Black Is Not My Profession, by dressing the 16 Black actresses in Balmain. The fittings made for a triump moment of glamour during a press call at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where the project debuted.
Noire N’est Pas Mon Metier is intended to shed light on the discrimination in both French and American entertainment industries. The project was directed by French actress Aïssa Maïga and actresses Nadège Beausson-Diagne, Mata Gabin, Maïmouna Gueye, Eye Haidara, Rachel Khan, Sara Martins, Marie-Philomène Nga, Sabine Pakora, Firmine Richard, Sonia Rolland, Magaajyia Silberfeld, Shirley Souagnon, Assa Sylla, Karidja Touré and France Zobda.
The documentary is based on a book, which is a collection of personal stories including Maïga and her cast members. There is also an accompanying photo exhibition.
On dressing the cast, Rousteing tells WWD, “The moment I was asked to participate, I knew it was right for me, and for this brand, to form a part of this moment. The simple message of the importance of inclusion that these actors are bringing to us is one that I’ve often repeated over the years — and I’ve been lucky enough to work at a house that believes in it as strongly as I do. Our ‘Balmain Army’ celebrates the beautiful diversity of France and the rest of the modern world — we hope others will join us soon.”
