Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Japanese Fashion Brand Apologizes For Using Cornrow Wigs On Their White Models During Runway Show

Japanese Fashion Brand Apologizes For Using Cornrow Wigs On Their White Models During Runway Show
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images

Paris Fashion Week 2020 kicked off with an internet bang as Japanese Fashion label Comme des Garçons has been accused of cultural appropriation after styling White models with cornrows, a hairstyle traditionally only worn by Egyptian and Black cultures.


In an age when mobile phones and Twitter accounts abound along the flanks of the runway, only seconds had to pass before active social media criticism was launched at the fashion brand.

The scandal erupted in response to the modeling of a collaboration between hair stylist Julien D'Ys and designer Rei Kawakubo. The two have collaborated many times in the past, often to great praise.

Posting to Instagram before the show, D'Ys shared a little of what was to come, citing the creative and cultural inspirations he claimed to draw from, particularly highlighting the hairstyles of ancient Egypt.

Featuring a model of color, the post was scandal-free and aroused excitement among followers.

During the show, however, additional White models strutted with the same hairstyle.

Twitter was alight with criticism as many deemed the look an example of cultural appropriation.




Comme des Garçons, the responsible fashion label, issued a statement of apology to Dazed magazine.

"The inspiration for the headpieces for Comme des Garçons menswear FW'20 show was the look of an Egyptian prince. It was never ever our intention to disrespect or hurt anyone – we deeply and sincerely apologize for any offense it has caused."

Stylist Julien D'Ys apologized on Instagram as well.

D'Ys apology did arouse support from many followers, who called critics overly sensitive.

Other followers, however, continued to levy accusations.


@zacmakeupartist/Instagram


@carlasentme/Instagram

And, as is to be expected, Twitter only stayed politically sharp for so long before moving on to humorous criticisms.


This, of course isn't the first time cornrows have been questionably donned by White people.

Twitter users touched on some past moments when cornrows improperly made their way onto some White heads.


This last tweet refers to Bo Derek's controversial performance in the 1979 film 10, wherein the following scene really incited some criticism.

NSFW

youtu.be

If anything is to be taken away from this most recent example of ill-received braids jumping across race, it's the clear sense that so many companies continue to lack inclusive minds to consider decisions and the possible feelings of disrespect those choices may arouse in the public.

More from Trending

Donald Trump
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump Blasted For Announcing New Additions To The White House Lawn As Global Tensions Escalate

President Donald Trump was criticized after announcing that two new flagpoles would be added to the North and South Lawns of the White House—not the greatest look amid heightened global unease as tensions between Israel and Iran ramp up.

According to the Associated Press, Trump watched as a crane installed the newest flagpole on the South Lawn, remarking, “It’s such a beautiful pole.” He later returned to the site to salute as the American flag was raised for the first time.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Donald Trump from CNN supercut
CNN

Trump Mocked For 'Two Weeks' Iran Deadline With Supercut Of All His 'Two Weeks' Promises

President Donald Trump has a history of promising to resolve problems within "two weeks," and a new viral supercut mocks him for all the times he's said as much—including right now with tensions in the Middle East higher than ever.

Trump said Thursday he will decide within two weeks whether to involve U.S. forces directly in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, citing what he called a “substantial chance” for renewed nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lynda Carter; Screenshot of Donald Trump
Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images; Newsmax

Lynda Carter Hilariously Channels Wonder Woman In Response To Trump's Claim About 'Undetectable' Planes

After President Donald Trump touted the U.S. military's "stealth" planes that he described as "undetectable," Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter responded to his claim with a funny quip sure to delight fans of her iconic character.

Earlier, Trump boasted about the military's capabilities in remarks to reporters in the Oval Office amid heightened concerns about the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict that is sending shockwaves throughout the Middle East and around the world:

Keep ReadingShow less
red flag with pole on seashore
Seoyeon Choi on Unsplash

People Break Down The 'Silent Red Flags' Folks Tend To Ignore In Relationships

A red flag has come to mean any warning sign in life, in addition to the literal red flags that are placed on beaches or industrial sites to warn people of danger.

People will respond to situations by saying, "That’s a red flag." But before that language evolved, they'd just call them "warning signs."

Keep ReadingShow less
Ted Cruz; Tucker Carlson
The Tucker Carlson Show

Tucker Carlson And Ted Cruz Get Into Shouting Match Over Iran In Bonkers Interview Clip

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz—a harsh Donald Trump critic-turned-MAGA minion—sat down with fired Fox News personality Tucker Carlson for the conservative influencer's self-produced online content,The Tucker Carlson Show, for the Tucker Carlson Network.

On Tuesday, Carlson shared a 1.5-minute clip revealing that things got contentious when the pair touched on the Trump administration's escalating tensions with Iran.

Keep ReadingShow less