Essence magazine was created in 1970 for African-American women, and its recent appointment of Ellianna Placas as Fashion Director has left many of its readers up in arms as she is white.

It seems that her talent - having been the former fashion editor at O: Home and Us Weekly - is being overlooked but it is her colour that is forming the crux of people's argument against her appointment.

The magazine's editor-in-chief of Essence, Angela Burt-Murray has released her statement in defense of her decision: “I understand that this issue has struck an emotional chord with our audience. However I selected Ellianna, who has been contributing to the magazine on a freelance basis for the last six months, because of her creativity, vision, the positive reader response to her work and her enthusiasm and respect for the audience and our brand. We remain committed to celebrating the unique beauty and style of African-American women in Essence magazine and online at Essence.com.”

Essence magazine's former Fashion Director posted this on Facebook:

Does this close-minded sentiment not disappoint anyone else? At the end of the day, men have worked in women's fashion journalism since the beginning - so why does it matter what your skin colour is?

If you are true to your magazine's readers - what is the problem? I think this is outright racism and it smacks of hypocrisy.

What do you think? Does it matter - even a little bit?

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