A model has said sorry for an old photo of her that a style magazine selected as their cover photo.

Blackhair is a bi-monthly publication that describes itself as “packed with hair inspiration for black and mixed race women” in its Twitter bio – yet it features a white model on the front of the December/January issue, which some people on Twitter demanded an explanation for.

.@Blackhairmags - explain why the model on your latest cover is white? You should explain considering you're a magazine for black women. pic.twitter.com/MlXZNZMZyi — Tobi Oredein (@IamTobiOredein) November 21, 2016



@Blackhairmags this cover makes no sense to what you stand for!? Smh — OG (@Olivia_Gold) November 21, 2016



How did a magazine about black hair pick a white teenager with weave/wig? As usual the worship of loose curls & 'good hair' #blackhairmags https://t.co/8od3s1IKuq — CherryLosAngeles (@cherry_LA) November 22, 2016



Model Emily Bador posted an apology on Instagram after realising she was on the cover, saying that it was an old modelling photo, and adding that she is “upset and angry” over the fact she was never asked by Blackhair if the image could be used.

“I would deeply and sincerely like to apologise to every one for this, and black women especially,” she writes on Instagram. “I would like to clarify, I believe this shoot is from when I was around 15 and didn’t understand cultural appropriation or the impact it has on POC.”

Bador also apologises for the picture itself, in which she appears to look mixed-race, explaining that at the time she didn’t understand the implications of the image.

She wrote: “I was uneducated, which obviously is no excuse, ignorant and immature. Growing up in a very very white city, I had no idea the struggles black women face and how often they were persecuted for their hair.

“I didn’t understand how black women are constantly told their natural hair is inappropriate/unprofessional for the work place, or how young girls are told they can’t go to school with natural hair.

“I didn’t understand that shoots like this support the very Eurocentric beauty standard that the mainstream media focus on which reinforce the idea that black features are only ok on white women.

“I didn’t understand that as a white passing woman I’d be praised for this hair, but if I was a black woman I’d be persecuted.”

She added: “I do regret doing this. I hold up my hands, I’m so so so sorry and I’m very sorry this cover was taken away from a black woman.”

Several Instagram users have commented thanking Bador for her apology, describing her post as “beautifully written”, “thoughtful and honest” and “heartfelt”.

Blackhair magazine has also since posted a statement over placing Bador on the cover, saying they were unaware that she was not of black or mixed-race heritage prior to selecting the image – and they also thanked Bador for bringing the issue to their attention.

Editor Keysha Davis explained on the magazine’s Facebook page: “We often ask PR companies/salons to submit images for the magazine, specifically stating that models must be Black or mixed race.

“We can only take their word for it, and of course, try to use our own judgment.”

Davis added that they are keenly aware of how black women are underrepresented in the mainstream media – “the last thing we want to do is add to our erasure”, she says.

“In this ever-changing world, race will surely become even more fluid and no doubt conversations around Black identity will continue to change, and we definitely welcome the dialogue.”