Marc Jacobs closed out the Big Apple’s annual fashion week with a controversial gesture. The famed designer decided to make his models wear faux colorful dreadlocks, but received opposition from spectators who asked why he failed to use models of color to adorn the hairstyle.
they have Marc Jacobs putting dreads that look like multi-colored Grinch fingers on his white models and calling it “fashion”.
— . (@fairywiak) September 15, 2016
Fashion week: We need a designer to exploit black culture for profit
Marc Jacobs: pic.twitter.com/m4OYesiFIQ
— Ziañ ??.*???? ? (@Downeyinthedms) September 15, 2016
if Marc Jacobs wanted to add black culture to his fashion why didn’t they just hire black models with actual dreads???
— ? (@rnbzains) September 15, 2016
Today (Sept. 16), Jacobs decided to respond to a couple of commenters on Instagram and spewed even more controversial and colorblind remarks.
“@radical.lizeth @emmelephant and all who cry ‘cultural appropriation’ or whatever nonsense about any race or skin color wearing their hair in any particular style or manner,” Jacobs begins, “funny how you don’t criticize women of color for straightening their hair. 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.”
“funny how you don’t criticize women of color for straightening their hair” MARC JACOBS OFFICIALLY CANCELED pic.twitter.com/o098M16KOw
— :p (@SLAYLONIE) September 16, 2016
His comments warranted even more reactions on social media.
marc jacobs response to dreads on white models is the exact response I’d expect from a white person ew
— fardosa 🖖🏾 | 29 (@pr0insiasjesse) September 16, 2016
marc jacobs’s response to being called out for cultural appropriation is gross and shows he has no idea that racism forces ppl to assimilate
— macchiato fairy (@galaxyprincen) September 16, 2016
So which celebrity is going to teach Marc Jacobs about cultural appropriation, and how appropriation DOES NOT equal assimilation?
— Ria (@LoveMy_RIAlity) September 16, 2016
I’m about to burn all my Marc Jacobs makeup in my backyard like wypipo did Kaepernick jersey
— Memphis Fleek (@Brieyonce) September 16, 2016
The look was created by Jena Counts, a Florida-based mother who launched her Etsy shop, “Dreadlocks by Jena” in 2015, Vogue reports.