New York Fashion Week is all about crazy designs, the latest fashions, and... cultural appropriation? Oy. On Thursday, Marc Jacobs closed out New York Fashion Week, and the show was interesting to say the least. The center of attention? Not an out of this world skirt or crazy platform shoes, but the models' hairstyles: Stylist Guido Palau gave the models a less than appropriate style of pastel-colored woolen dreadlocks.
People were quick to jump on social media and criticize the designer for topping his mostly-white models, including Kendall Jenner and Karlie Kloss, with this hairstyle. Jacobs responded to the criticism in a comment on an Instagram post, which only angered many further.
His comment read:
"@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 — funny how you don't criticize women of color for straightening their hair," Jacobs wrote. "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. Appreciation of all and inspiration from anywhere is a beautiful thing. Think about it."
People took his comment to mean that women of color straightening their hair is a form of cultural appropriation. Needless to say, people didn't take his comment well and became even angrier with the designer.
Jacobs has since responded to his critics, apologizing to anyone he may have offended.