logo

Gucci apologizes after ‘blackface’ jumper backlash as Twitter users blast $890 ‘racist’ sweater

Aby Rivas
Feb 08, 2019
03:30 P.M.

The Italian fashion house has issued an apology on Twitter after getting backlash all over social media for a “racist” balaclava sweater that, according to people, depicted blackface on its design.

Advertisement

Gucci has become the latest fashion brand getting accused of racism after putting on stores a wool sweater from the Gucci's Fall Winter 2018 line that, according to many social media users, resembled blackface makeup.

Gucci store in Toronto, Canada. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons Images

Gucci store in Toronto, Canada. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons Images

The oversized piece features a turtle neck that can be pulled up to the face to cover the nose, and it features a cut out for the mouth with big red lips around it. The sweater was ridiculed on Twitter, and many users immediately started slamming the brand for being insensitive and racist.

On Wednesday, Gucci released a statement saying they removed the $890 piece from all of their online and physical stores, and issued an apology for the offense.

The wool balaclava jumper that caused outrage on social media. | Photo: Gucci

The wool balaclava jumper that caused outrage on social media. | Photo: Gucci

Advertisement

“Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper," the company wrote on Twitter. "We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make."

The company also stated they would take the incident and turn it “into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team and beyond.”

However, people were not happy about the apology, with many people expressing their disbelief to the fact that the sweater was approved in the first place.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Gucci is not the first Italian brand facing racism accusations. Last December, Prada had to pull out of their stores a series of items from their Pradamalia line, after images surfaced of a storefront in Manhattan of monkey-like figures with black faces and big red lips.

Advertisement

While Prada said in a statement that the "imaginary creatures [are] not intended to have any reference to the real world and certainly not blackface," and that they never had the intention to offend anyone, they ended up withdrawing the characters from display and circulation.

Swedish retailer H&M was also in the eye of the hurricane last year after sharing an ad of a black kid wearing a green hoodie with the message “Coolest monkey in the jungle." The image sparked outrage among activists and celebrities, with people calling to boycott the brand altogether.

Advertisement

“We are deeply sorry that the picture was taken, and we also regret the actual print,” the company said in a statement. “Therefore, we have not only removed the image from our channels, but also the garment from our product offering globally.”

Fashion brands keep making this kind of “mistakes” and getting away with it, something that most people said shows the lack of care and thought these big companies have when it comes to black people and what they could find offensive.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Roberta Raffel Married Her 'Best Friend' Marcus Lemonis in 2018

November 24, 2023

Caring Father Makes Daughter Miss Homecoming, Senior Prom & Delete All Her Social Media as Punishment

November 02, 2023

35 Times People Met Real-Life-Karens Who Think They Own the World

November 28, 2023

Jennifer Aniston, 55, Wears Short Tube Dress at Award Ceremony, Dividing Fans over Her 'Modest' Look

February 22, 2024

Black Girl Isn't Let Inside the Club – Story of the Day

December 18, 2023

5 Retail Workers Share the Wildest Ways Customers Have Tried to Scam Their Business

March 08, 2024

Emily Blunt & John Krasinski Made the ‘Perfect Couple’ despite Her Years-Long Struggle with a Disability

February 27, 2024

People Share the Most Petty Revenge Stories They've Seen or Have Been a Part Of

February 23, 2024

Julia Roberts' Shoes for Recent Red Carpet Outfit Sparks Reactions from Users

December 01, 2023

Meryl Streep, 74, & Martin Short, 73, Spotted at a Cozy Dinner amid Dating Rumors – Fans React

February 27, 2024

Matthew Perry Was Found by ‘Bystander’ Who Lifted His Head ‘Above the Water’ — Details

October 31, 2023

Woman Forbids Her Kids' Grandma from Seeing Them after Their Father's Death

February 07, 2024

Harry Styles Leaves Fans ‘Grieving’ as He Officially Debuts Shaved Head On Instagram

November 16, 2023

Joe Manganiello Makes His New Love Official – Meet His Girlfriend Who Looks Opposite to Sofia Vergara

February 21, 2024