Many a time, top Fashion Brands like Gucci and Prada have come under the scanner for their culturally inappropriate outfits and designs.
The following list features some of the major fashion faux pas created by leading global luxury brands that created a rage on social media.
Gucci, Burberry, and Prada are some of the leading names in international luxury brands. And these brands, when they falter on their designs, it cannot go unnoticed by the people on social media.
Gucci Sikh Turban Controversy
In February 2018, Gucci faced a backlash for showing white models in Sikh-style turbans in their Milan Fashion Week show. The blue turban many said resembled the style of turbans worn by Sikhs around the world. Gucci, the Italian fashion house retailed the turban as “Indy Full Turban’ online on Nordstrom for a whopping $790.
Online users said that the sacrosanct Turban for Sikhs is not an article for Gucci to make profits on.
Luxury online retail website Nordstorm has issued an apology around the controversy.
Gucci ‘blackface’ scandal
The same brand earlier featured a $900 sweater that many said resembles ‘blackface’. The black balaclava knit jumper covered the lower half of the face with a red cut-out around the mouth. People on social media said the design was ‘completely unacceptable’ and offensive as it reflected racist ideologies.
After receiving flak online, International fashion house Gucci issued an apology. The brand said it considers diversity to be a fundamental value to be upheld.
Prada ‘Black Sambo’
The luxury fashion brand Prada is accused of displaying black monkey dolls with exaggerated red lips as a keychain and handbag charm. Shoppers compared this to historically racist imagery of African Americans. The image, of a monkey with enormous red lips, bore an agonizing resemblance to the “Black Sambo” figure, which has a long and horrid history in the US. The caricature Sambo, a black boy was made to appear practically sub-human with dark brown or black skin and bright red protruding lips.
Dolce & Gabbana ad ignites racism accusations
The Italian luxury fashion brand had released three short videos on the Chinese social media network Weibo. Dolce & Gabbana Ad depicted a Chinese model’s struggle to eat spaghetti with chopsticks.
The ad provoked public outrage in China and accused the fashion house of cultural misappropriation. Critics said it purposely mocks the Chinese culture and stereotypes them.
Burberry accused of glamorizing suicide
Burberry is accused of insensitivity which reflected in one of their hoodie designs during the show at London Fashion Week. People said it caused distress and that ‘suicide is not fashion’. The British luxury fashion house said it has removed the item from its collection. The brand issued a public apology for its hoodie design with a rope around the neck.
The incident demonstrated the need for fashion houses to examine their creative processes
Katy Perry’s Collection
Katy Perry’s designs were also accused of using racist caricatures, following a backlash against Gucci, Prada, and Moncler. The sandals and loafers had designed with a face featuring prominent red lips. The pop singer released a statement on the controversy, describing the shoes as part of a collection “envisioned as a nod to modern art and surrealism.” She expressed she was saddened when it was brought to her attention that it was being compared to painful images reminiscent of blackface. She clarified, “Our intention was never to inflict any pain.”
Zara’s swastika handbags
Spanish retailer Zara sold bags with anti-semitic motifs and designs on one of its handbag designs. Zara confronted a wave of criticism after users said the reverse swastika sign eulogizes the Hitler’s regime and glorifies the past. This is not just one instance.
Zara which is known for its affordable clothing and accessories earlier came with a striped sheriff t-shirt for kids. Users said it looked a lot like the striped garments and yellow stars that Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust.
Zara clarified saying the shirt was inspired by classic western films and the word sheriff appears faintly on the star and apologized for causing any offense.
Conclusion
Gucci’s turban or its balaclava sweater resembling blackface reminded people of how big fashion brands are socially ignorant.
This collectively points out that the fashion industry is struggling in giving a voice to diverse views. And, at times, to keep up with tech-savvy consumers who are ready to call out companies in real-time for insensitive imagery.
