New Urban Style- Editorial Spotlight : Oscar Winning Actress Viola Davis Talks Career Legacy, Diversified Representation for Black Women in Film & Television in the Latest Issue of Net-A-Porter

A few weeks ago, the NUY 40+ Style File curated some of the best Spring runway looks in black to act as "transitional wardrobe"inspiration for our readers between weather seasons in Germany.  Shortly before that time, though, one of our favorite thespians,  Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis was featured in a beautiful editorial from one of our favorite luxury retailers, Net-A-Porter, as part of their "Incredible Women. Incredible Fashion. Every Day." series. The article and stunning layout featured fierce statement wardrobe pieces in black that belied simplicity, feminity and strength- giving a fresh take on how to wear black from day to night as the actress spoke on everything from the value of black women in entertainment, to how the issues in #MeToo and #TimesUp relate to her own professional career as a Hollywood veteran.

In the accompanying interview to the Net-A-Porter editorial, the actress candidly shared stories of her journey through the Hollywood maze of film and television over the last 30 years, and, as one of the founding members of #TimesUpNow, addressed themes of diversity in the arts and why, even as a critically acclaimed and celebrated actress, there is in fact still quite a long way to go in terms of work opportunities,  equal pay, and bucking against widely held sterotypes about black women and the roles they should play in film industry. Echoing her 2015 Emmy speech for Best Lead Actress in a Drama, she states;

“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there".

In addition to her Oscar for the Denzel Washington-directed film, "Fences" Davis is also the Emmy-winning star of the critically acclaimed Shonda Rimes tv drama, "How to Get Away with Murder", for which she won a Best Actress Emmy in 2015 for her portrayal as the flawed attorney, Annalise Keating.  Realizing that roles like Annalise Keating rarely come along, the actress recognizes how groundbreaking it is to be the star of a dramatic series in an industry that prizes youth over all things, and only until recently struggled horribly with issues of colorism. Davis says of her professional journey  to defy agist and colorist stereotypes;

 “...especially for a woman who looks like me... I’m 52 and darker than a paper bag", she notes, referring to her advanced age by American industry standards and of the skin tone test once used against black Women to determine their entry into professions and social organizations in the past. "Women who look like me are relegated to the back of the bus, auditioning for crackheads and mammas and the person with a hand on her hip who is always described as ‘sassy’ or ‘soulful’. I’ve had a 30-year career and I have rarely gotten roles that are fleshed out, even a little bit..."

 She shares the change she hopes to see in her industry by adding, "When you look at a role as a director or producer that is not ethnically specific, can you consider an actor of color, to invest in that talent? The problem is, if it’s not an urban or civil rights drama, they don’t see you in the story. People need to understand that they shouldn’t see people of color one way. We don’t always have to be slaves or in the ’hood or fighting the KKK. I could be in a romantic comedy. I could be in Gone Girl... Or Wild. 

I could be seen the same way as Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore. I actually came from the same sort of background; I went to Juilliard, I’ve done Broadway. I’ve worked with the Steven Spielbergs. I should be seen the same way. That’s what I think is missing: imagination.”

When asked about the legacy she'd like to leave behind to younger generations of artists who will come behind her, the actress states,

“I always say life is like a baton and you got to run your leg of the race and pass it on to the next great runner...(and) I want to pass a fabulous baton..."

Check out the rest of the accompanying photos to Viola Davis's stunning Net-A-Porter editorial below:














To find retail information on Viola's wardrobe for the shoot and read the extensive interview in entirety, see  net-a-porter.com