When the historically-hyped all-black Vogue Italia hit the shelves this summer, fashion-philes everywhere wondered if the magazine's focus on black models would change the fashion industry. Would the people in charge of the white-washed runways and magazines see the light and try to be more diverse in their casting practices. During New York's Fall 2008 Fashion Week earlier this year — pre-Vogue Italia — I counted the black models present at a selection of fashion shows. The numbers were as expected but pretty disappointing, save for impressive showings from Diane Von Furstenburg and, of course, Tracy Reese.

So did Vogue Italia change the fashion world? Are black models finally getting the shine they deserve? Unless you believe that more of the same was what they deserved, not exactly. However, at the Spring 2009 shows, currently taking place in Bryant Park, things certainly haven't get worse, and many designers that only had one black model in their shows at least doubled the number this time around. Fashion week isn't over yet, but here's a guess — designers might not care to drastically alter their formulas, but few, if any, will dare have an all-white show.

CONTINUED »