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Blackface is popping up in the news eight months earlier than usual thanks to public revelations about several Virginia leaders’ affinities for racist caricatures. Gucci joined the fray by releasing, then subsequently recalling and apologizing for, a black “wool balaclava jumper” that featured a mouth hole with bright red lips.
The Guardian reports today (February 7) that many social media users critiqued the brand for ignoring the $890 knit top’s resemblance to Blackface and related racist imagery:
How does this keep happening with supposedly ‘luxury’ brands? No-one at Gucci clocked the similarity between the racist imagery of their $890 blackface jumper and Prada’s keychain — the latter of which was pulled from stores less than two months ago? Or do they just not care? pic.twitter.com/pNxTbuJeXV
— Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff (@CharlieBCuff) February 7, 2019
Let me get this straight, @gucci issues an apology for a sweater that appears to resemble blackface…I just can’t *screaming*!
Dear America,
Cut the shit! Step away from blackface. It was racist and dehumanizing in the late 19th century and it is still racist today &forever more pic.twitter.com/3iPiMehPiZ
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) February 7, 2019
Ralph Northam: I wore blackface for a dance competition.
Mark Herring: I wore blackface for a costume party.
Gucci: Hold my beer. pic.twitter.com/0fx7bYafrs
— Christopher Bouzy (@cbouzy) February 7, 2019
I don’t know what’s more offensive, the blackface sweater, or the fact that Gucci was trying to sell this trash for $900.
Side note: this is what happens when your executives are all white. Hire more black ones. I’m available. https://t.co/nRkYpjLd8j
— Dave Wick (@NotoriousBlerd) February 7, 2019
Balaclava knit top by Gucci. Happy Black History Month y’all. pic.twitter.com/HA7sz7xtOQ
— Rashida (@fuckrashida) February 6, 2019
Gucci’s statement says that the top was removed from its physical and online stores. “We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected and at the forefront of every decision we make,” the apology reads.