After Gucci started trying to sell a polo neck jumper, as part of the company’s 2018 autumn/winter collection, there was a ruckus on social media. The reason people posted images on Instagram and Twitter of the new jumper was that they believed it resembled “blackface.”
Priced at $890 (£689), the black “balaclava” knit has a polo neck but also covers the lower half of the wearer’s face, with a cut out for the mouth, lined with huge red lips.
Polo neck jersey draws criticism
Twitter and Instagram were alive on Wednesday with images of the strange and controversial design.
Several made a comment to say it is currently Black History Month in America, making the jersey even more controversial.
One Twitter user commented about the balaclava knit top, saying Happy Black History Month y’all,” adding two photos of a woman wearing the jersey.
Balaclava knit top by Gucci. Happy Black History Month y’all. pic.twitter.com/HA7sz7xtOQ
— Rashida (@fuckrashida) February 6, 2019
Another Twitter user blamed Gucci for a lack of diversity in their organisation.
It’s 2019 and your telling me fashion designers don’t know if something looks like a racist ornament?#gucci knew what they were doing.They all do.GET BLACK DESIGNERS WORKING FOR YOU if you can’t recognise things like this. And stop apologising cause clearly you guys ain’t sorry.
— 2TUN (@2tunn) February 7, 2019
Gucci apologises for jumper
As noted by Cosmopolitan, after criticism was rife over the jumper, the Italian Fashion brand posted an apology and said the polo neck jumper would be taken off their website.
In their apology, they said they consider diversity a fundamental value that should be fully respected, upheld and at the forefront of each decision they make.
Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper.
— gucci (@gucci) February 7, 2019
We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.
Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/P2iXL9uOhs
They continued by saying how fully committed they were to increasing the diversity within their organisation.
Gucci said they would use the outrage over the jumper as a “powerful learning moment” for their team.
So ya'll just going to let #Gucci act like they ain't know better? #Blackface
— VENUS🦋"Viva la RESISTANCE!" (@blubuttafly16) February 7, 2019
STOP supporting brands that mock you! #BoycottGucci pic.twitter.com/TwPaAkZH6D
While the jumper is no longer on Gucci’s website, archived product information said the item was “inspired by vintage ski masks,” which they said added a “mysterious feel” to the Autumn/Winter collection.
Gucci not alone in ‘blackface’ controversies
As reported by the Guardian, other luxury fashion lines have been in trouble recently. Prada had a similar incident in December, where a number of their fashion items were withdrawn over criticism that they depicted blackface. One particular item was Pradamalia keychains that looked like black monkeys with large red lips, as one Twitter user pointed out.
How does this keep happening with supposedly 'luxury' brands? No-one at Gucci clocked the similarity between the racist imagery of their $890 blackface jumper and Prada's keychain - the latter of which was pulled from stores less than two months ago? Or do they just not care? pic.twitter.com/pNxTbuJeXV
— Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff (@CharlieBCuff) February 7, 2019
A fashion show by Dolce & Gabbana was delayed in Shanghai following accusations of racism.
Prior to the event, the company released a promo video showing a Chinese model eating pizza and pasta using chopsticks. People in China were not impressed and a number of retailers in that country withdrew Dolce & Gabbana products from their shelves.