MILAN: Luxury fashion brand Gucci is facing a backlash from people after it adorned white models with traditional Sikh turbans down the ramp in their brand’s Fall 2018 fashion week. This move by Gucci has upset many people, who took to social media to condemn the use of turbans in fashion, by calling it “offensive” and “irresponsible”, The Independent reported.
Canadian actor and model Avan Jogia began the backlash, in a series of tweets. “could you not find a brown model?”, Jogia wrote on Twitter, along with an image of a white male model wearing a blue turban. “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. ????”, he wrote in his second tweet.
Yo.. @gucci … I mess with you guys… but this isn’t a good look for you… could you not find a brown model? pic.twitter.com/INqxwrfB0t
— Avan Jogia (@AvanJogia) February 22, 2018
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. ?? pic.twitter.com/a5PUW5hux3— Avan Jogia (@AvanJogia) February 22, 2018
Prominent Sikh social activist Harjinder Singh Kukreja wrote on Twitter, “Dear @gucci, the Sikh Turban is not a hot new accessory for white models but an article of faith for practising Sikhs. Your models have used Turbans as ‘hats’ whereas practising Sikhs tie them neatly fold-by-fold. Using fake Sikhs/Turbans is worse than selling fake Gucci products.”
Dear @gucci, the Sikh Turban is not a hot new accessory for white models but an article of faith for practising Sikhs. Your models have used Turbans as ‘hats’ whereas practising Sikhs tie them neatly fold-by-fold. Using fake Sikhs/Turbans is worse than selling fake Gucci products pic.twitter.com/gCzKPd9LGd
— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) February 22, 2018
In a picture posted, models’ hair could be seen tumbling out of the turbans at the Gucci fashion show. In Sikhism, a turban is worn by both men and women as a symbol of honour and spirituality. Almost all of a person’s hair is typically concealed within the headgear.
On the other hand, Italian fashion house Versace rocked Milan with bright tartans, leather and studs in its fall-winter 2018 collection runway show, echoing college chic and punk style. The loud and colourful looks by creative director Donatella Versace, part of ‘The Versace Clan’ collection, showcased in a palazzo overlooking the city’s Duomo cathedral and picked up on the menswear designs presented in January.
In the first part of the collection, models wore tartan skirts and matching tops, cardigans, berets and football scarves, like college students coming out of classes. Long brown leather coats were worn with high heeled shoes and camel trousers paired with short leather jackets. Models strutted in what was once a ballroom on platform shoes, zippered loose boots and stiletto shoes worn with colourful socks.
The fashion house, known for its bold and glamorous designs, did not fail to impress with bright tasseled dresses with matching earrings and short black outfits worn with tight belts with golden buckles. “The Versace clan dares and says what it believes and sets itself apart from the crowds thanks to its style choices … there are no in-betweens, no compromises,” a style note by the brand said.