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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Seamus Duff

Supermodel Jourdan Dunn hits out at the fashion industry over race pay gap

Supermodel stunner Jourdan Dunn is hitting out at the race pay gap within the modelling industry.

The 30-year-old beauty – who has fronted campaigns and walked catwalks for brands including Prada and Maybelline – says she has been paid less than white models when working on the same projects.

Jourdan has previously worked alongside fellow Births model Cara Delevingne and American model friend Karlie Kloss but says she received the least pay.

The model is now highlighting the apparent pay gap between herself and her peers – and says she is only now finding the courage to speak out after 15 years in the industry.

Jourdan Dunn has highlighted the race pay gap within the fashion industry (Getty Images)

Speaking to the TTYA Talks podcast, Jourdan said: “Even for me now it’s just owning your voice and knowing your worth.

“I remember the girls I came up with, like my best friends in the industry, Cara and Karlie, I know their rate was different to my rate, even though we were doing the same jobs.

“When I think about that it’s so f****d up, like what is the difference?

Jourdan says fellow models like Karlie Kloss would often earn more than her for the same work (Getty Images)

"But clearly the difference is the skin tone.

“But now I know my worth and I’m going to ask for it.”

Jourdan says she looks up to modelling icon Chanel Iman for inspiration – and a lesson in how to assert herself.

Jourdan has built up a huge career in the past 15 years (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

She said: “Backstage at shows, Chanel would say if she didn’t like something with her hair and make-up.

"I would normally just hold it in and then be in the bathroom and try to change it as I didn’t want to offend anyone.

“But seeing her do that, I realised at the end of the day I am a brand and I need to look a certain way and I need to make sure I look good in a way that’s not disrespectful.”

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