New York Fashion Week is all about surprising designs, trending styles and cultural appropriation. Marc Jacobs took a stand and it didn't go as planned.
On Thursday, Marc Jacobs' show closed out Spring/Summer 2017 New York Fashion Week, and the show was interesting to say the least. The highlight? Not a crazy patterned skirt or insane platform shoes, but the models' hairstyles: Stylist Guido Palau gave the models pastel-colored woolen dreadlocks under Jacobs' command, serving as symbols.
The world was quick to reply on social media and criticize the designer for topping his mostly-white models, including Kendall Jenner and Karlie Kloss, with this hairstyle. Jacobs responded to the criticism in a comment on an Instagram post, which only angered many further.
His response read:
"@radical.lizeth @emmelephant and all who cry 'cultural appropriation' or whatever nonsense about any race or skin color wearing their hair in any particular style or manner — funny how you don't criticize women of color for straightening their hair," Jacobs wrote. "I respect and am inspired by people and how they look. I don't see color or race — I see people. I'm sorry to read that so many people are so narrow-minded ... Love is the answer. Appreciation of all and inspiration from anywhere is a beautiful thing. Think about it."
Was he saying that women of color straightening their hair is a form of cultural appropriation? What exactly is Marc Jacobs trying to stand for? Needless to say, people didn't take his comment nicely and became even more frustrated with the designer. This goes to show that no matter how much fame, experience, or money, none of it can determine your worth of knowledge within intercultural communication and symbolism.
Jacobs has replied to his haters and critics, apologizing to anyone he may have offended. But, did he really mean his apology?
