The Hollis & Ariel Show

The Hollis & Ariel Show from COACD on Vimeo.

s: COACD

Ariel Meredith for Diesel Intimates & Underwear

At first glance these look like something a Terry Richardson devotee would have shot for American Apparel. I guess Diesel is trying to jump feet first into the "edgy" underpants market.

I honestly don't know what to think of these. The phrase that keeps coming to my mind is "Girl, you need to call your people to come and get you!"

Don't get me wrong, Ariel is beautiful and has a great figure for lingerie but personally speaking, I've never fantasized about at clothing optional party where I'm the only chick present in the shot and a white guy who looks like European Jesus rubs lotion on my belly. Call me old-fashioned. There are more photos at the Diesel site featuring two white female models in their skivvies but their booties are unmolested.

Source: Diesel & kahlilg/tfs

Ariel Meredith - Marie Claire - July 2009 Editorial

The current issue of Marie Claire (Cameron Diaz on the cover) is more bland than a bag of grass clippings but I this is the second 2009 issue that has had a multi-page spread featuring a solo black model.

Hey Look! A Black Woman in an Ad! - Ariel Meredith/D&G S/S 09

Her name is Ariel Meredith. The lovely Shreveport, Louisiana native has been working the catwalk for years but is finally starting a little more recognition, proving that Black American girls are just as modelesque as their "more exotic by industry standards" peers. She was featured in TRACE magazine's most recent "Black Girls Rule" issue and walked for Nicole Miller, Baby Phat, Elie Saab, Vera Wang, Milly and several other designers last September.

Discovered at a modeling expo when she was still in high school, she quickly booked a lot of work including appearances in Lucky and Cosmo but found that her slim size 5 figure was considered "too fat" by the grotesque industry. She said in a Times-Picayune interview, "You know, Louisiana girls are curvy. I had a chest. I didn't care that I had some meat on my bones." She disregarded the pressure from her agency to slim down and get a breast reduction but soon found herself out of work.

Disgruntled, she took a year off to work on her body. "I basically did portion control and exercise. I like to eat. I'm not going to starve myself to walk down someone's runway... "And I'm not going in for a nip and tuck either. That's not me. I'm going to work with what God gave me." Once she hit a size 2, the bookings piled up quickly. Meredith has since appeared in ads for GAP Body, Target and Sephora.

In her Q&A with TRACE , one of the questions was "why do you rule?" and her answer was this:

I rule because I am me -- FUN! Fierce and independent (laid back at times.) Strong black woman...Stays positive....sStays grounded...Good attitude...THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

Here's to hoping that we see a lot more of Ariel in the coming year :)

Source: Nola, The Fashion Spot, ONTD Fashinfags