Gucci Models Wear Sikh Turbans, Twitter Says ‘Respect Please’

Will white models wearing Sikh turbans make it “cool,” people fume on Twitter.

Models carrying a replica of their head as an accessory, a third eye drawn on their forehead, and a whole lot of nightmarish cultural appropriation – there was this and more at the Gucci show at the Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday, 21 February.

As fashionistas woke up to photos from the show on social media, they were quick to take note of the “strange” representations.

What I wanna know is who at @gucci thought this was okay. You really had to go and appropriate cultural and religious wear? Could you not find a hijabi model? Could you not find a Sikh model? Do better. pic.twitter.com/dARrszcghN

— thank you Jonghyun 🎗 (@sapnainthecity) February 22, 2018

But if you thought it couldn’t get more strange, hold on tight!

White models wore turbans – mirroring the way men who follow the Sikh religion tie and fold their turbans – drawing widespread criticism. People from across the globe condemned the show.

Actor and model Avan Jogia tweeted a photo from the show, stating the representation “isn’t a good look” asking if the brand couldn’t find “brown” models.

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

Thanks @gucci for entirely appropriating my religion. Ffs, I’m pretty sure you could have found a Sikh model to wear a turban rather than turning it in some causal accessory #notokay pic.twitter.com/23HvT8vkwQ

— Maninder Sachdeva (@thisismani_) February 22, 2018

‘Respect Article of Faith’

But others on social media pointed that it was not about hiring brown models but respecting another religion and their article of faith.

It’s not even about finding a brown model, turban is seen as a crown, symbol of respect and dignity for the Sikhs, not a fucking fashion accessory this is just fuckin disrespectful gtfo Gucci https://t.co/r0D8ufQIK5

— Amitoj Rai (@RaiAmitoj) February 22, 2018

Restaurateur Harinder Singh Kukreja took to Twitter to point out that the Sikh turban was not a “hot new accessory,” adding that while the models have used the article as “hats,” practicing Sikhs “neatly tie them fold by fold.”

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

a turban is not a fashion accessory. @gucci https://t.co/6WvfsG6s9Y

— vivlin (@vxvlxn) February 21, 2018

‘Will This Stop Discrimination?’ Sikhs Ask

Members of the religion also pointed how they were discriminated every day for wearing the turban and how the turban being used as a fashion accessory does not make it easier.

This is unacceptable and offensive @gucci. Wearing another religions article of faith is not fashion, its appropriation! Sikh men are profiled and discriminated against every day for wearing a turban, yet when you put in on a white person, it’s suddenly fashionable and cool?!?! pic.twitter.com/UD0wWjaju5

— Gurpy Colors o(:) (@gurpycolors) February 22, 2018

Hundreds and thousands of Sikhs were de-scalped and killed for professing their Sikh faith and wearing the turban. Sikhs still face so much physical+verbal abuse in the west due to the turban. This is our crown.

— Ajit Singh Juss (@NihangAjitSingh) February 22, 2018

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