Naomi Campbell sees Black Lives Matter altering fashion and beauty industries

Fashion model Reta Jerry-Riman prepares for a photoshoot to create campaign images to contribute to the social media challenge called the 'Vogue Africa Challenge' at a studio in Lagos, Nigeria June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

Worldwide protests about the treatment of Black people will alter the global fashion and beauty industries by creating job opportunities and products catering for a broader range of consumers, model Naomi Campbell told Reuters in an interview.

The fashion world has long been criticised for its lack of diversity. Some firms are already making product changes as protests about systemic racism sparked by the killing of Black people by police in the United States highlight issues related to race.

Fashion model Reta Jerry-Riman prepares for a photoshoot to create campaign images to contribute to the social media challenge called the 'Vogue Africa Challenge' at a studio in Lagos, Nigeria June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

Campbell, who during a 34-year career was the first Black model to appear on the covers of French Vogue and Time magazine, said she believed there would be more opportunities for Black people as designers, stylists and make up artists.

"Now the whole world is on the same page. The voices are coming out now ... and I look at that with optimism that we will get our change," she said.

The model also said companies were likely to expand their cosmetics ranges to match more skin tones.

Fashion model Reta Jerry-Riman prepares for a photoshoot to create campaign images to contribute to the social media challenge called the 'Vogue Africa Challenge' at a studio in Lagos, Nigeria June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

"We spend a lot of money. We are big consumers," said Campbell, referring to the opportunities for businesses.

Earlier this month Band-Aid, owned by Johnson & Johnson, said it would launch a range of bandages to match a variety of skin tones.

Campbell, who two years ago told Reuters that Vogue magazine should launch an African edition, also said she had "come to understand that Conde Nast are working on bringing a Vogue Africa".

Photographer Alexander Ashimole is seen during a photoshoot with fashion model Reta Jerry-Riman as they create campaign images to contribute to the social media challenge called the 'Vogue Africa Challenge' at a studio in Lagos, Nigeria June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

Citing conversations with people at Conde Nast, she said it was being "looked into to be developed" before the killing of George Floyd by police sparked worldwide protests. She did not provide further details.

Conde Nast said it does not comment on future business ventures but continuously works on the expansion of its brands globally.

(Reporting by Alexis Akwagyiram; Additional reporting by Angela Ukomadu; Editing by Catherine Evans)

Photographer Alexander Ashimole edits the campaign images he shot to contribute to the social media challenge called the 'Vogue Africa Challenge' at a studio in Lagos, Nigeria June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

Photographer Alexander Ashimole is seen during a photoshoot with fashion model Reta Jerry-Riman as they create campaign images to contribute to the social media challenge called the 'Vogue Africa Challenge' at a studio in Lagos, Nigeria June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

Photographer Alexander Ashimole is seen during a photoshoot with fashion model Reta Jerry-Riman as they create campaign images to contribute to the social media challenge called the 'Vogue Africa Challenge' at a studio in Lagos, Nigeria June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

Model Naomi Campbell speaks from Los Angeles during an interview on Zoom with Reuters in Lagos, Nigeria June 26, 2020.REUTERS/Alexis Akwagyiram

FILE PHOTO: Photographer Alexander Ashimole browses through the campaign images he previously made to contribute to the social media challenge called the 'Vogue Africa Challenge' at a studio in Lagos, Nigeria June 25, 2020. Picture taken June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja