Gucci Created an Uproar in the Sikh Community: White Models Walked the Runway Wearing Turbans Showcasing Fall 2018 Collection
Luxury brand Gucci’s fall 2018 collection that was showcased at Milan Fashion Week caused an outrage in the Sikh community.
Luxury brand Gucci’s fall 2018 collection that was showcased at Milan Fashion Week caused an outrage in the Sikh community and the brand received serious backlash. Gucci is being accused of appropriating pieces like hijabs, niqabs and Sikh turbans worn by white models. Canadian actor and model Avan Jogia prompted the backlash in a tweet that drew the attention to the issue by sharing his disappointment with the creative director Alessandro Michele’s decision. People quickly followed up on Jogia’s tweet by writing how Sikhs are targeted with violence for wearing turbans in public, making Gucci’s use of turbans as a fashion accessory largely offensive.
Another tweet by Jogia read, "and please, other people of colour, this happens to ALL of us, say something even if it doesn't apply to you personally. I got you, if you got me. Peace and love. " In the replies, Twitter users slammed the look for being disrespectful toward Sikhism, and other users asked why Gucci couldn't have just found a Sikh model instead.
Model walking with his severed head
Model wearing a clothing piece that looks like a hijab
The show took place in an operation theater setting with chairs like the ones you find in the waiting room. The models also walked the ramp holding dragons and severed heads of their own. But what sparked the controversy was models casually wearing turbans that seemed downright disrespectful to an entire Sikh community. Gucci tried to present something which marks the symbol of pride and strength by the community as just another fashion accessory.
Model wearing a turban
This careless act by such a dominant brand displays their ignorance towards the sentiments of minority cultures. Not only did Gucci manage to adhere to cultural appropriation but also exploited these groups at the same time. They failed to understand the complexities or to recognise the historic legacies of such clothing items. Cultural appropriation can be defined as the act of taking or using things from a minority culture by members of the dominant culture. We just hope that other brands learn a lesson from Gucci’s mistake and not repeat it again.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 23, 2018 06:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).