Black culture in fashion seeks to move from the runway to the 'control tower'

Industry observers say that there is a lack of diversity in luxury fashion brands. Two of the most notable men of colour are Virgil Abloh who designs the menswear for Louis Vuitton (left) and Olivier Rousteing of Balmain. Photo composite: AFP

More than 40 years after Beverly Johnson became the first black model to grace the cover of Vogue, the fashion industry is facing its own reckoning over racism and exclusion.

Anna Wintour, regarded as one of the most influential figures in fashion, has apologised for "hurtful and intolerant" mistakes by the magazine during her 30-year tenure as editor-in-chief.