The noun “ Aristocracy “ has been a term that’s encompassed many cultures throughout history. Creating A hierarchal structure based on financial wealth, real estate and the gift of divinity. The term “aristocrat” comes from the Greek word aristokratia, meaning 'rule of the best’. What is the best and who is given the power to declare it ? – great question! History has taken it open themselves to place people of color as the inferior class.
In Western art and religion, the “highest” – i.e. “the best" - class is populated by individuals of Caucasian decent. As they sat on their thrones, forcing people of color into submission, normalizing the idea that people of color were only created to be tools of service. This way of thinking has not only become a prevalent theme in history books, but it has also transitioned into modern art and fashion. People of color are rarely pictured as the Aristocrats; instead, they are seen as a bottom group of subspecies.
Fashion brands like Gucci are still found guilty of creating themes of aristocratic imagery but strictly limiting it to people of Caucasian descent. With this new photographic series Rou brings you, "The New Aristocrats," A Black and White portrait series redefining the historical Aristocratic Portrait. With Fashion, Music, Literature and Cinema being heavily influenced by diverse ethnic cultures, who really fuels society?
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