Luxury fashion designer Gucci is apologizing for their new wool balaclava jumper, which raised eyebrows and outrage upon its release for its striking resemblance to blackface.
“Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper,” the brand wrote on Twitter Wednesday (Feb. 6) in response to the backlash. “We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.”
The $890 sweater, which has been pulled from Gucci’s website and from all physical stores, is black and covers up to the wearer’s nose with material. However, the red ring around the hole for the jumper’s mouth appears to look like lips, bearing a resemblance to blackface.
“I remember studying racist advertisements from history in college that would never fly today,” wrote one user on Twitter in response to the garment. “…U knew exactly wtf u were doing and thats horrible.”
Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper.
We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.
Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/P2iXL9uOhs— gucci (@gucci) February 7, 2019
@gucci ur racist AF for this add. I remember studying racist advertisements from history in college that would never fly today. When ur sweater was advertised the 1st thing that came to mind was this soap! U knew exactly wtf u were doing and thats horrible #Facts pic.twitter.com/Bj6CWozzm2
— Proud Mommy #Survivor (@AuroraTheGoddes) February 7, 2019
This is so fucked. Its black history month and Gucci drops a Jim Crow sweater. Wtf. https://t.co/u7lsUYUCsn
— Bronson (@NateCisPGK) February 7, 2019
GUCCI IS CANCELLED ALL 2019 🙅🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/YtGKdKZwqX
— 4amtravo (@TravieJx21) February 7, 2019