feature: imani love and daniel stewart collaborate for thought-provoking “erosion” series, a critique of the fetishization black female beauty

“Erosion” is the thought-provoking portrait series by creative director Imani Love and photographer Daniel Stewart. The series, in which Love models in herself, is a visual representation of the fetishization of black female beauty and the separation of black traits or distinguishing features from black bodies. Nappy hair isn’t “cool”, fashionable, or, arguably, acceptable in the workplace when it grows out of your head, but it’s the “in” thing to do when Kylie Jenner is wearing a Kanekalon ponytail attachment at Fashion Week. “Black women are so often shamed and penalized for the same physical attributes that are then praised, and made trendy for white women. This project is meant to capture the black woman’s experience as a hyper-sexualized being, who’s [sic] body is constantly appropriated in white society.”

By Erin White*, AFROPUNK contributor

Creative Director/Model: Imani Love
Photographer: Daniel Stewart

*Erin White is an Atlanta-based writer and AFROPUNK’s editorial and social media assistant. You can follow her on Tumblr or friend her on Facebook. Have a pitch or an inquiry? Shoot her an email at erin@afropunk.com.