Marc Jacobs criticized for having models wear wool dreadlocks on runway
After closing out New York Fashion Week on Thursday, Marc Jacobs is under fire for cultural appropriation.
The designer was widely slammed on social media for having his show's predominantly white models, including Karlie Kloss and Gigi Hadid, wear brightly-colored wool dreadlocks.
"Okay but like y'all think black people w/ dreads are thugs and gross but when a white person does it for marc jacobs it's fashion?" one user wrote. Other people argued it was irresponsible to call the dreadlocks on the models "high fashion" when many black women, even celebrities like Zendaya, are subject to unfair criticism for wearing the same style.
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The hairpieces Jacobs used were created by Floridian Etsy artist Jena, who specializes in wool dreadlocks. According to hairstylist Guido Palau, they were partially inspired by Lana Wachowski, a director, transgender woman and the face of Jacobs' spring 2016 campaign.
Still, Jacobs' response to the accusations has not soothed his critics. In fact, the remarks, which he made by Instagram comment on Friday, have stoked even more controversy.
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"...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 don't see color or race -- I see people," he added.
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Chloe was the shopping editor at Mashable. She was also previously a culture reporter. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloebryan.
