Some controversial clothing lines list! Fashion doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to blackface. Every year, it seems a new blackface controversy surfaces, with a new model at the center. This year, it was Gigi Hadid, who appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia sporting what some saw as a suspiciously dark tan. As BBC pointed out, many of Hadid’s followers were quick to point out her darkened appearance in the image, which was shot by Steven Klein. Others flat out called the image blackface. The criticism prompted the 23-year-old model to apologize. She shared a statement on Twitter along with a photo of herself post-shoot, with bronze makeup still on her face.
Alexander McQueen’s Fall/Winter 1995 Collection, “Highland Rape”, McQueen was one of the greatest provocateurs in the fashion industry, so it’s no surprise that another one of his shows makes this list. For his Fall/Winter 1995 show, Highland Rape, McQueen sent out models bruised and battered wearing tattered clothes of tartan and lace. With some thinking that McQueen was promoting violence against women, the backlash was swift. But, in McQueen’s eyes, the show was meant to represent the ethnic cleansing of the Scottish Highlands by British soldiers during the 18th and 19th centuries and the ensuing controversy upset the designer, especially since he cared so much about designing clothes that empowered women.
Gucci Employees Allegedly Protested Donald Trump at Trump Tower Store, The New York City Gucci Store is located in Trump Tower, a place that became the epicenter of political protests this year. On Twitter, one onlooker posted what looked like employees from the store holding up signs that read, “Hate has no home here.” Despite the social media post, Gucci denied that their employees engaged in any sort of protest.
Although he was fined and ousted from Dior for his anti-semitic comments, Gaultier also created a show entitled “Chic Rabbis”, in Fall/Winter 1993. Apparently, the show was inspired by a trip to NYC where the designer encountered a group of rabbis leaving the New York Public Library. Gaultier said he loved the elegance of their dress with their hats and huge coats flapping in the wind. However, naturally, the collection came under fire for being culturally insensitive. There were also specific complaints from Hasidic groups concerning female models in the show who were wearing traditionally masculine hairstyles and clothes. And although the collection was deemed pretty culturally insensitive all round, it is also true that it struck a nerve with audiences, and succeeded in posing questions about societal groups, structures, and codes. Chic Rabbis may seem a humorous title for a collection of couture, but it certainly wasn’t without its serious ramifications.
Another controversial fashion line is Headhunters Line, a very bold fashion line that already generated a lot of controversy. Sex, guns, distressing message, this fashion clothing line has them all. See more details at The most dangerous clothing line.