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.
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.
‘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.
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.”
‘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.
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