In the wake of Gucci’s blackface scandal that caused widespread outrage, Dapper Dan, who has been working with the luxury brand since 2017, has made it his mission to call out and correct the systematic racism. Writing a powerful message to fans on Instagram, the fashion maven demanded more from his partnering design house.
“I am a black man before I am a brand. Another fashion house has gotten it outrageously wrong,” the Harlem designer stated. The 74-year-old icon, who remains a pillar in the fashion community, made no excuses for the brand and urged its CEO to speak with him and other members of the community to ensure that such nonsense never happens again. “There cannot be inclusivity without accountability,” he continued. “I will hold everyone accountable.”
Gucci has since removed the shirt for purchase and pledged to move forward “into a powerful learning moment” insisting they are “fully committed to increasing diversity.”
Artists and celebrities including, T.I. and Spike Lee called for the community to boycott companies like Gucci and Prada for its lack of diversity in the design rooms and the constant portrayal of blackface that circles throughout its brands.
