- AFP
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Japanese fashion brand Comme des Garcons was at
the centre of a cultural appropriation row Sunday after it sent out white
models in what appeared to be cornrow wigs at its Paris men’s fashion week
show.
The self-appointed fashion watchdog Diet Prada — which has a record of
pulling up labels on racial insensitivity including the notorious Gucci
“blackface” jumper – accused the cult brand of “taking a step back”.
Comme des Garcons was criticised in 2018 for reportedly not using a black
model for more than 20 years.
Diet Prada, which has 1.7 million followers on Instagram and uses the
platform to regularly chide labels, said even those taking part in the show
seemed embarrassed.
“The look on the models’ faces says it all,” it claimed.
While the brand itself has remained tight-lipped, the French hair stylist
responsible for the look took to Instagram to defend it.
Julien Dys said it was meant as a reference to the ancient Egyptians and
not cornrows.
“My inspiration for the Comme des Garcons show was an Egyptian prince, a
look I found truly beautiful and inspirational,” he wrote.
“Never was it my intention to hurt or offend anyone, ever. If I did I
deeply apologise,” he added.
One black model in the Paris show Saturday also wore one of the wigs, while
two others had their hair in short dreadlocks.
While several black Instagram users supported Comme des Garcons, they also
urged the label to “use more African men” with their natural hair.
Many more, however, were offended, with the black supermodel Adwoa Aboah
commenting, “Are we surprised?”
Paris men’s fashion week ended Sunday with a week of haute couture shows
starting with Dior, Iris Van Herpen and Schiaparelli on Monday.(AFP)
