How celebs and fashion brands have to apologise due to their insensitive attitude
Faux pas are common, and many times forgiven, but what happens when celebrities cross boundaries and hurt sentiments – religious et al – with their clothing and look. All hell breaks lose with 'hurt victims' taking to Twitter and other social websites. Cultural bias, racism and gender remarks notwithstanding, these fashion brands and celebs had to bow down to public brouhaha over their insensitive attitude...
Racist Vogue
Cultural appropriation in high fashion has been a hot topic, and not even Vogue could escape it. Of course, Vogue Japan is being criticised fo putting white women in "ethnic" clothing of the country. Aussie model Miranda Kerr covers Vogue Japan's 15th anniversary November issue and stars in a photo spread that is drawing criticism because of the Asian-inspired photos. Kerr wears Japanese clothing and hairstyles. On the cover, the 31-year-old sports an elaborate hairdo that's inspired by traditional Japanese hair. Even though Miranda is popular in Japan, some fans were angry with the fashion magazine for putting a white woman in Japanese clothing. Others were upset that Vogue Japan didn't use one of the many successful Japanese models to pose for the special anniversary issue.
I am not perfect
Victoria's Secret is drawing criticism in the UK for a bra ad campaign that features the tagline "The Perfect 'Body'" superimposed over 10 models dressed in only their underwear. The ads, which appear in British stores and on the US website, are supposed to be a clever play on their Body by Victoria bras (hence why the word "body" is in quotes), but some people are angry that, yet again, thin models are being used as the sole standard of beauty. Some people were so outraged by the ads that a few Leeds University students started a petition on Change.org, which so far has more than 3,500 supporters. The petition challenges Victoria's Secret to "Apologise for, and amend the irresponsible marketing of your new bra range 'Body.'"
Kate Moss quote
Being associated with Kate Moss usually brings positive attention but not for the Hudson's Bay. The company had pulled a controversial t-shirt from its stores after shoppers cried foul on Twitter. The shirt depicted a 0-calorie nutrition label emblazoned with the words "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels," a quote made popular by English model Kate Moss in 2009 and considered by many to promote eating disorders. After shoppers took to Twitter with hashtags #NotBuyingIt and #YoureFired, the company issued an apology to her saying, "In this particular instance, while we respect the designer's art, due to the overwhelming response and the sensitivity of the matter, we made the decision to promptly remove the T-shirts from our stores and from thebay.com."
Bindi on Selena's forehead
Selena Gomez was ruthlessly criticised as culturally insensitive after she donned a Hindu religious ornament during a MTV performance last year. The 20-year-old singer took to the stage to perform her single, "Come & Get It' For which she wore a red dress and a sparkling bindi on her head. The bindi landed Gomez in hot water with Hindu leaders at the Universal Society of Hinduism who want her to apologize for wearing the religious adornment. "The bindi is not meant to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects or as a fashion accessory aiming at mercantile greed. Selena should apologize and then she should get acquainted with the basics of world religions," Hindu statesman Rajan Zed had said. Twitter users too were not happy with the former Disney star's attempt at cultural appropriation.
Arnie's "I Survived Maria" T-Shirt
In 2011, after his cheating scandal and just before his divorce from sainted Kennedy Maria Shriver, the former "Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger was photographed wearing a shirt that Shriver gave to all her staff members at the governor's mansion as a gag gift. It read I Survived maria. Making it even worse, the shirt initially had the dates 2007–2010 written on it, but Ah-nold doctored it to read 1977–2010, the duration for which they dated. How feminists took to Arnie is another story.
The "Obama/Black" T-shirt option
In January 2010, Jezebel editor Anna North noticed a T-shirt for sale on Urban Outfitters' website in two colour combinations: "White/Charcoal" and "Obama/Black." Urban Outfitters said they "screwed up, and are sincerely sorry," explaining that they had internally developed a colour called "Obama Blue" that accidentally appeared on the website. "Fine, Urban Outfitters: You're not racist, just careless," said University Chic. But given your history and penchant for making controversial political statements, "you can't blame anyone for assuming" the worst.
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