Social Media Responds to Gucci’s ‘Blackface’ Sweater
Luxury fashion brand Gucci recently received a ton of backlash for selling a black balaclava sweater that some people say is “blackface for millennials”.
The $890 knit top from Gucci’s Fall Winter 2018 collection covers the bottom half of the face with a red outline that surrounds the mouth, which resembles theatrical make-up that was used mostly by non-black performers during minstrel shows to represent a caricature of a black person during the 19th century.
Late last night, Gucci issued an official apology via their Twitter account and stated that the wool balaclava jumper has been removed from the brand’s online store and all physical store locations.
Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper.
— gucci (@gucci) February 7, 2019
We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.
Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/P2iXL9uOhs
Many Twitter users, who responded to the wave of news regarding the sweater stated that the brand had full knowledge of what they were doing when put they put the knit top up for sale, especially during Black History Month. Several people have also dubbed the brand as “racist” and that their actions were “bulls***”.
Lmao Gucci tryna slip this half ass black face sweater in there omgaaaah🤦🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/CZBv9GyAr5
— 𝔭𝔯𝔞𝔡𝔞 𝔟𝔞𝔢. (@sparkledagoat) February 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/AuroraTheGoddes/status/1093408746179575809
https://twitter.com/Teejgaming/status/1093486466506936321
This is so fucked. Its black history month and Gucci drops a Jim Crow sweater. Wtf. https://t.co/u7lsUYUCsn
— Jackie Daytona (@PelletGunKelly) February 7, 2019
I bought some @gucci shoes and they wrote me back like we out of stock and gave me a refund.... then they dropped the blackface sweater.... yeah I'm SUPER cool on them
— Rich, the 1st of his name (@runwayrichie) February 7, 2019
Yes...sadly we have to add #5. Gucci made a very racist sweater 😠. I still can't figure out why tf they thought this was ok?! pic.twitter.com/WLRq32nQ2f
— Davina Redfield🌈 (@davina_menifee) February 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/_Law26/status/1093497819640619009
Gucci outdid themselves with this bullshit—not to mention the sweater is $890 🤦🏽♀️. pic.twitter.com/5Liqtc4Aw6
— 🔥 Summertime CHI 🔥 (@Marley__Monroe) February 7, 2019
I knew @gucci was gonna fuck up! 🤦🏾♂️ Where was Dapper Dan when this blackface sweater was approved? pic.twitter.com/QqqSUc8Pn6
— RIP Joe Beezzy (@BlackNorbit) February 7, 2019
So @gucci puts out a sweater that looks like blackface......
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) February 7, 2019
On Black History Month....
And then issues an apology because they didn't know that blackface images are racist.
🤦🏿♂️ pic.twitter.com/G3HjPTIuuQ
I am a @Gucci fan, and I was going to buy a jacquard cardigan because it’s a forever piece, but until they and other luxury brands hire some people of color to consider the imagery of items like the “blackface” balaclava sweater (Randy Jackson voice) its a no for me dawg! https://t.co/Ln9vHbhBVN
— KLM (@karyndeshields) February 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/caraelise00/status/1093507609364230144
https://twitter.com/Jaeana21/status/1093391298382446592
Glennisha Morgan is a Detroit-bred multimedia journalist and writer. She writes about intersectionality, hip-hop, pop culture, queer issues, race, feminism, and her truth.
