Racism and sexism: 5 times the world of high fashion got schooled

Racism and sexism: 5 times the world of high fashion got schooled
PHOTO: Instagram

In its world of flashy clothes and picture-perfect models, the fashion industry may appear glamorous and alluring at first glance.

However, a darker side lurks beneath the glossy veneer of 'high fashion'. 

Several high-end luxury brands have been lambasted recently for displaying insensitivity in either their designs, or the contentious campaigns. Even designers themselves (in the case of the late Karl Lagerfeld) have not been spared.

The series of faux pas has also triggered widespread consternation from the public.

1. THE DARK SIDE OF KARL LAGERFELD

His accomplishments are not to be ignored, but not everyone was quick in glorifying the legendary designer, who died on Feb 19.

Photo: Instagram/Karl Lagerfeld

The late fashion icon has definitely made his mark in the fashion industry, from revamping Fendi to being at the forefront of fashion juggernaut, Chanel. His legacy and success are undeniable.

But according to reports, he has had a long history of "disparaging fat women". “No one wants to see curvy women,” he famously told German magazine Focus in 2009.

Upon his death, actress and body positive activist Jameela Jamil called out the designer for being "ruthless" and "fat-phobic". Her remarks sparked a civil 'argument' between herself and model-actress Cara Delevingne, a strong supporter and personal friend of the designer. 

The conclusion? Both simply agreed to disagree.

2. BURBERRY NOOSE HOODIE

Burberry's latest 2019 collection for London Fashion Week in February featured a rather controversial item - a hoodie with what looks like a 'noose' brazenly hanging from a model's neck.

Unsurprisingly, many took issue with it.

Photo: Instagram/Liz Kennedy

Model Liz Kennedy, who walked the Burberry show, came forward to criticise the British brand.

"Suicide is not fashion," she commented on Instagram; adding that she was "ashamed to have been a part of the show".

In response to the backlash, Burberry apologised, stating that the brand is "deeply sorry for the distress caused by one of the products", explaining that the cord was a piece which reflected its nautical theme. 

ALSO READ: Burberry receives backlash for sending a noose hoodie down the runway

2. DOLCE & GABBANA'S RACIST ADVERTISEMENT

Photo: Video screengrab

Dolce & Gabbana (D&G) came under fire for a series of videos that allegedly mocked Chinese culture, despite the Italian fashion house claiming that it was a "tribute to China". 

The string of advertisements, which was released four days prior to their Shanghai fashion show on Nov 21 last year, portrayed a giggly Chinese model being told how to use chopsticks to eat Italian food. 

To add to to the controversy, a screenshot showing the conversation between Stefano Gabbana, one of the designers, and a model, Michele Tranovo, escalated the situation. 

Within a short period of time, models, influencers and contracted celebrities started pulling out of the show, leading to the eventual cancellation of the multi-million dollar fashion event (which cost an estimated S$40 million). 

D&G apologised and blamed the racist remarks on Stefano's account being hacked, which convinced no one. 

Since then, many companies like Alibaba have boycotted the brand. 

ALSO READ: People just started leaving: Singapore socialite on Dolce & Gabbana show cancellation

4. GUCCI 'BLACKFACE' BALACLAVA JUMPER 

Photo: Twitter/Popcrave

This jumper in Gucci's Fall/Winter 2018 runway show in February was called out for being racist, and the fashion brand was accused of depicting blackface during Black History Month, which is observed in US and Canada. 

The black turtleneck with a red-lined cutout sparked outrage despite Gucci claiming that its an inspiration from "vintage ski masks".

The designer Alessandro Michele later published an apology letter admitting that he is "heartfully sorry for this hurt" and the fact that the turtle-neck jumper evoked racist imagery caused him the "greatest grief".

Let's hope that Gucci stays true to their commitment to diversity.

ALSO READ: Gucci pulls polo neck after 'blackface' claims

5. PRADA 'BLACKFACE' ACCESSORIES

Photo: Facebook/Chinyere Ezie

This Italian luxury powerhouse found itself in hot water after launching their Pradamalia collection last December. With oversized thick lips stretched over a dark skinned caricature, the Ottoman keychain caused an eruption of disapproval from social media after people pointed out the allusion to blackface once again. 

In a viral Facebook post, Chinyere Ezie, an attorney from the Center for Constitutional Rights berated the brand. 

Prada gave a response and subsequently pulled the accessories off shelves due to the major backlash.

Most recently this month, pop star Katy Perry was also forced to apologise and recall shoes from her fashion line, after they were accused of resembling blackface.

In her statement to Entertainment Tonight, Katy said that the slip-on mules were envisioned as "a nod to modern art and surrealism" and were created in a variety of colours.

It is certain that these brands have definitely learned the hard way from their costly mistakes. Whether they be genuine cluelessness or ingrained discrimination? You be the judge.

huangjunyi@asiaone.com

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.

homepage

trending

trending
    Body left at hospital linked to JB petrol station shooting
    Closer economic integration key to Asean's stability and transformation: PM Wong
    HDB to launch first BTO project in Sembawang North in July offering 775 units
    Retirement, home purchase and health insurance planner: CPF's new platform to help members make better decisions
    A package deal? CDC and SG60 voucher listings on Carousell get taken down
    Stars spotted: Ayumi Hamasaki enjoys beer at Lau Pa Sat, Lin Chi-ling spends time with family in Sentosa
    PSP co-opts 3 GE2025 first-time candidates into CEC; Tan Cheng Bock, Hazel Poa step down
    'I learnt my lesson': Jackson Wang recounts losing '30% to 40%' of income after lending money to someone
    'Let's do something fun together': Ayumi Hamasaki gives fan service after missing out on waiting fans at Singapore airport
    'Intimacy was not anything sexual', says man who drove car with lover's husband on bonnet
    From curiosity to passion: How these primary school students found their calling in ballroom dancing
    'It brings out a certain inner child in them': Parkour instructor works exclusively with the elderly to help them keep fit

Singapore

Singapore
    • Man climbs onto car after catching wife naked with lover in Sengkang; falls after latter drives off
    • Singaporean Grab rider who lives in JB villa reveals how he earns $6,000 a month
    • People aren't boycotting SingLit, they just don't know about it, say insiders on poor readership
    • WP reacts to PAP statement: Pritam's appearance on Malaysian podcast had no detrimental impact on Singapore's interests
    • TTSH to demolish century-old pavilion wards, keeping one as heritage marker
    • MAS issues $27.45m in penalties to 9 financial institutions over $3b money laundering case
    • Man, 21, gets 6 months' jail for biting off colleague's ear in fight
    • Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4
    • 'Politics should stop at the water's edge': PAP on Pritam's recent media engagement in Malaysia
    • 3 weeks' jail for man who touched himself on train, flicked bodily fluid on female passenger

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Gossip mill: Angelababy and son seen at Universal Studios Singapore, former K-pop idol dies of leukaemia at 23, Marcus Chin explains bloodied mouth at charity show
    • BTS confirm their return with new album and world tour
    • 'This is torture': Elvin Ng details gruelling experience with prosthetic makeup for new drama
    • Local indie film We Can Save The World!!! starring Noah Yap to premiere at New York Asian Film Festival in July
    • Chantalle Ng wins 4th Star Awards' My Pick Awards! Favourite CP
    • No phones allowed: Amal Clooney has a basket for friends who visit to forfeit their devices
    • 'It's monumental': Liam Gallagher's son 'can't wait' to see his dad back performing with Oasis
    • Julian McMahon dies aged 56
    • E-Junkies: Jeremy Chan, James Seah, Zhu Zeliang on realistic 'underground city' film set in Mediacorp's first dystopian-crime drama
    • Scarlett Johansson faced 'extraordinary circumstances' on Jurassic World Rebirth set

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Uniqlo to debut Labubu collection in September, here's what to expect
    • Hong Kong's Michelin Bib Gourmand Mak Man Kee Wonton Noodles to debut in Singapore
    • There's 'mum guilt', but what about dads? As fatherhood loomed, one man felt guilt and 'grief'
    • More opportunity than threat: Singapore employees generally positive about using AI at work, Randstad study finds
    • Where to get cheap haircuts in Singapore (2025 update): Kcuts, Snip Avenue, Kimage Hairdressing School and more
    • Why more young families are moving to Pasir Ris (hint: it's not just about the new EC)
    • Best hotel buffets in Singapore for breakfast, lunch and dinner feasts
    • They paid rent on time - and still got evicted. Here's the messy truth about subletting in Singapore
    • VEP enforcement begins - what every Singaporean driver needs to know
    • Manga doomsday prediction spooks tourists to Japan

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • 'Report 1 shop, another 10 appear': Hoyo Fest artists on copyright struggles
    • NTU penalises 3 students over use of AI tools; they dispute university's findings
    • Australia social media teen ban software trial organisers say the tech works
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool
    • Home Team humanoid robots to be deployed by mid-2027, $100m to be invested: Josephine Teo

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Regulators warned Air India Express about delay on Airbus engine fix, forging records
    • Trump tax bill averts one debt crisis but makes future financial woes worse
    • Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla, SpaceX support
    • Online groceries in Singapore: Which supermarket has the cheapest delivery fees?
    • Laundry services in Singapore: Price comparison of 8 affordable laundromats (2025)
    • 9 free budgeting apps to help you manage your expenses (2025)
    • Why I had second thoughts after buying my dream home in Singapore
    • Bumper orders for Xiaomi's new SUV heighten threat to Tesla
    • Bezos and Sanchez arrive in Venice for marathon wedding party

Latest

Latest
  • China opens third extension to sensitive Taiwan Strait flight path
  • Ukraine's top general warns of possible new Russian offensive in northeast
  • Russian air defences shoot down four drones headed for Moscow, mayor says
  • Dalai Lama turns 90 and vows to keep defying China for years
  • Paris opens river Seine for public swimming for first time since 1923
  • US blames Hamas for attack that hurt two US aid workers in Gaza
  • Israel to send delegation to Qatar for Gaza talks despite 'unacceptable' Hamas demands
  • Ukraine's Zelenskiy says latest phone call with Trump his most productive yet
  • Iran's Khamenei attends public event after weeks of war with Israel

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Boy, 9, has kidney removed after falling at Bukit Batok playground
  • 'We just want our money': Income Insurance shareholders disappointed at failed Allianz deal
  • Buying property in Malaysia as a Singaporean: 6 key restrictions to be aware of
  • 'I thought it was just firecrackers', says eyewitness after man fatally shot multiple times inside vehicle in Malaysia
  • Malaysian dad in tears after 11 children pool together to buy him new SUV
  • Not nominated for Star Awards' Best Audio Personality but Dennis Chew says The Breakfast Quartet 'should be confident of ourselves'
  • Cyclist hit by bullet slug in nature reserve may have tried to cover his tracks from authorities
  • 'I just wanted a piece of nostalgia': Hundreds turn up at adoption drive to collect remaining Yale-NUS books
  • 'Does your gun have bullets?' Malaysian man tries to touch auxiliary officer's weapon at Woodlands Checkpoint, gets jail
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.