Gucci has withdrawn a polo neck jumper from its shops after social media users said it resembled blackface.
The $890 (£689) “balaclava” knit, part of the autumn/winter 2018 collection, covers the bottom half of the face and has a cutout mouth with large red lips.
On Wednesday, Twitter and Instagram users posted pictures of the jumper, with several pointing to the fact it was currently Black History Month in the US.
One person tweeted: “Balaclava knit top by Gucci. Happy Black History Month y’all.”
Rashida@fuckrashida Balaclava knit top by Gucci. Happy Black History Month y’all. 11K 7:23 PM – Feb 6, 2019
Balaclava knit top by Gucci. Happy Black History Month y’all.
11K
Ms. Smack@yup_im_smack0_o #Gucci was right on time for black history month with the foolishness huh.. 8:00 AM – Feb 7, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy
#Gucci was right on time for black history month with the foolishness huh..
Another blamed a lack of diversity at the brand:
2TUN@2tunn It’s 2019 and your telling me fashion designers don’t know if something looks like a racist ornament?#gucci knew what they were doing.They all do.GET BLACK DESIGNERS WORKING FOR YOU if you can’t recognise things like this. And stop apologising cause clearly you guys ain’t sorry. 5 10:53 AM – Feb 7, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy
It’s 2019 and your telling me fashion designers don’t know if something looks like a racist ornament?#gucci knew what they were doing.They all do.GET BLACK DESIGNERS WORKING FOR YOU if you can’t recognise things like this. And stop apologising cause clearly you guys ain’t sorry.
5
On Wednesday night, the Italian brand apologised and said the jumper would be removed from its website. Gucci said: “We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make. We are fully committed to increasing diversity throughout our organization [sic].”
Read more The Guardian
