Update, 2/26: Following backlash against a "noose hoodie" design on its Fall 2019 runway, Burberry is announcing new diversity initiatives within the company.
After issuing a formal apology and removing the offensive designs from the collection, the fashion house took to Instagram to share new company programs to prevent future issues with racism. "We are determined to learn from this and have spoken with our employees, experts and communities we impacted, we have developed a plan to increase our consciousness and understanding of social issues and fully embrace diversity and inclusion," Marco Gobbetti, CEO of Burberry Group, said in a statement.
The three new overarching initiatives are as follows:
- Educate and train employees on diversity and inclusion, assemble an advisory board of external experts
- Diversify pipeline of talent through scholarship programs and Burberry Inspire, an in-school arts and culture program
- Support outside organizations that promote diversity, inclusion, and aid to people in crisis
The brand will introduce several programs to support each overarching initiative and educate its employees on sensitive social and race issues.
Update, 2/22: Days after Burberry apologized for sending an offensive "noose hoodie" down the runway, its creative director Riccardo Tisci is speaking out too. Tisci took to Instagram to issue a heartfelt formal apology for the Fall 2019 collection piece.
"I'm deeply sorry to anyone whose feelings I unintentionally have hurt. I am a man of my principles and I take my responsibilities seriously. I am committed to learn from this so that this never happens again," Tisci wrote.
In his post, Tisci claimed the design was not meant to be offensive or negative, "Those who know me well or who know my work will understand that any references I have used in my collections have never been driven by negativity. This is not at my core. I take inspirations from life as I love it, in all of its beautiful forms. This collection was born from a very positive place. Throughout my life I have always fought for diversity, for sexuality, for people of colour, for women’s rights, for all genders, and for inclusivity. And I consider myself a world citizen and I’ve been raised in a loving family who taught me how to love and respect everyone around me."
The creative director concluded by saying, "I listen, I learn, I improve and I believe in the power of love."
Original Article, 2/19: Burberry is coming under fire after sending a "noose hoodie" down its Fall 2019 runway at London Fashion Week. The brand, along with its creative director Riccardo Tisci, is now apologizing for the deeply disturbing piece and removing it from the collection.
Model Liz Kennedy first called out the problematic sweatshirt on Instagram after voicing criticism of the piece backstage at the show. "Suicide is not fashion. It is not glamorous nor edgy," she wrote before revealing her concerns were dismissed at the show.
"How could anyone overlook this and think it would be okay to do this especially in a line dedicated to young girls and youth," Kennedy continued on Instagram, "Let’s not forget about the horrifying history of lynching either. There are hundreds of ways to tie a rope and they chose to tie it like a noose completely ignoring the fact that it was hanging around a neck."
"I had asked to speak to someone about it but the only thing I was told to do was to write a letter. I had a brief conversation with someone but all that it entailed was 'it’s fashion. Nobody cares about what’s going on in your personal life so just keep it to yourself,'" Kennedy added.
The model also claims that staff were joking about the sweatshirt in the dressing room before the show, hanging a noose from the ceiling. After the piece caused major backlash online, her remarks led to an apology from the brand's CEO and creative director. In a statement released to CNN, Marco Gobbetti, chief executive officer, said:
"We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by one of the products that featured in our A/W 2019 runway collection. Though the design was inspired by the marine theme that ran throughout the collection, it was insensitive and we made a mistake."
Riccardo Tisci, the brand's creative director, also apologized, "I am so deeply sorry for the distress that has been caused as a result of one of the pieces in my show on Sunday." The piece will also be removed from the collection.
Burberry's offensive design comes just one week after Gucci received backlash for a turtleneck resembling blackface. The brand immediately issued an apology, pulled the product, and announced several initatives to increase diversity throughout the company.
Dapper Dan, a frequent collaborator of Gucci, spoke out about the brand's mistake on Instagram. He revealed Gucci's CEO, Marco Bizzarri, personally flew from Italy to meet with Dan and other community members in Harlem to discuss the issue. The meeting ended with plans to launch several diversity programs throughout the fashion house, including global and regional directors for diversity and inclusion, a diversity and inclusivity awareness program, and a multicultural design scholarship program.
With brands continually making "mistakes" in terms of race, what will it take for designers to finally start educating themselves on issues of racism and diversity in the year 2019?
Lauren Alexis Fisher is the Senior Editor at Cosmopolitan, overseeing digital content across fashion, lifestyle, beauty, sex, and culture. Previously, she was the Market Editor at Harper’s BAZAAR and has written for publications including WWD, Bustle, and W Magazine. When she’s not busy taste-testing her way through every dirty martini in New York, you can follow her on Instagram for bad jokes, good outfits, and annoying vacation pics.
