Comme des Garçons accused of cultural appropriation after sending models down runway in cornrows
‘Never was it my intention to hurt or offend anyone,’ says acclaimed stylist
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Comme des Garçons has been accused of cultural appropriation after models were sent down the runway in cornrow wigs.
The luxury Japanese fashion house showcased the hairdo at its Paris Fashion Week men’s show on Friday.
The move swiftly prompted a backlash on social media, with Twitter users arguing the show featured mostly white models sporting a style typically associated with black culture.
“It’s because of stuff like this that I chose to write a book on the racial aesthetics of gentrification first and not the racial aesthetics of fashion,” tweeted one academic who specialises in racial studies.
“There will always be material for that fashion book because this sh*t will never cease.”
Another person tweeted a photograph from the runway show alongside the caption: “Hey Comme des Garcons....what in the cultural appropriation is this s***!???[sic]”.
In response to the backlash, the hairstylist behind the look, Julien d’Ys, has apologised and explained the cornrows were inspired by an Egyptian prince.
The stylist posted on Instagram: “Dear all, My inspiration for the Comme des Garçons show was Egyptian prince: A Look i found truly beautiful and inspirational.
“A look that was an hommage. Never was it my intention to hurt or offend anyone , ever. If I did I deeply apologize [sic].”
The criticism comes after an article in Heroine titled “Why Won’t Comme des Garçons Hire Black Models?“ claimed that Comme des Garçons has cast just five black models in its last 54 runway shows.
It’s not the first time cornrows have sparked criticisms of cultural appropriation.
In 2018, Kim Kardashian West was heavily criticised for donning the look, describing her braided hairstyle as “Bo Derek braids”.
Bo Derek was famously styled with cornrows in the 1979 film 10.
Cornrows originated in Africa, cosmetologist and barber Toni Love told Ebony magazine.
“The intricate braiding of the hair indicated the tribe you belonged to,” she said.
“Cornrows on women date back to at least 3000 B.C. and as far back as the nineteenth century for men, particularly in Ethiopia.”
The Independent has contacted Comme des Garçons for comment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments