Marc Jacobs has dismissed critics of his runway show on Thursday during New York Fashion Week for putting dreadlocks on white models such as Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner.
According to Refinery 29, the designer posted — and then quickly deleted — a response to critics who had accused him of “cultural appropriation,” provocatively commenting, “funny how you don’t criticize women of color for straightening their hair.”
“And all who cry ‘cultural appropriation’ or whatever nonsense about any race of skin color wearing their hair in a particular style or manner – funny how you don’t criticize women of color for straightening their hair,” he 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.”
On Thursday, Jacobs sent his models down the runway donning dreadlocks from Etsy, inspired by Lana Wachowski who recently starred in one of the designer’s campaigns.
“We were also looking at other girls that were inspiring to Marc, and certain types of cultures, like rave culture, club culture, acid house, Boy George and Marilyn,” hairstylist Guido Palau said backstage, according to Harper’s Bazaar.
People were quick to post their outrage on social media, accusing the designer of “cultural appropriation” given that all the models were white.
https://twitter.com/ddaisymeadows/status/776514124134117376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Fashion week: We need a designer to exploit black culture for profit
Marc Jacobs: pic.twitter.com/m4OYesiFIQ
— Aphro ?? (@stillthehatred) September 15, 2016
that marc jacobs shit was real? wtf
— geto apologist (@_yazminsita) September 16, 2016
why couldn't marc jacobs hire black models with actual dreads instead of using fake dreads on white people pic.twitter.com/I0weET1cOf
— ? (@charlrose_) September 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/dopuhmean/status/776484709132099584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Reps for the designer have not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.