Culture

Fashion Brand Comme Des Garçons Faces Backlash For Putting Cornrow Wigs On Their White Male Models

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The Japanese fashion brand Comme des Garçons is facing backlash for putting cornrow wigs on their runway models in Paris. I should mention that the models were parading out the new fall 2020 line. Because nothing screams autumn like wearing the scalp of Rapunzel as a bib. Gosh, it brings me back to my youth. Growing up in New England, when the air turned crisp and the leaves fell. School was right around the corner and your mom would take you to Old Navy for some back-to-school outfits. She was always pushing me toward boring items like blue jeans and t-shirts, but I’d throw a fit for my scalps. Had to have at least one scalp to to velcro to my chest on the first day of school, flowing out of my patchwork tunic like a waterfall of golden wheat. Some kids couldn’t afford a scalp, but this was long before gofundme, so there was nothing to do but mock them mercilessly.

https://twitter.com/onlykuper/status/1218603676098383873

https://twitter.com/TANIRICHES/status/1218229901184073729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1218229901184073729&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insider.com%2Fcomme-des-garons-accused-of-cultural-appropriation-over-cornrow-wigs-2020-1

Designer Julien d’Ys claims that his inspiration was “Egyptian Prince. A look I found truly beautiful and inspirational.” I’d say he nailed it. Beautiful AND inspiring to see these 12-year-old boys looking like your little sister on day four of the family trip to the Bahamas. Except for the happiness part. These dudes are SAD. YIKES. Look at their faces. The wigs look like they’re hurting these boys.

As much as I’d like to applaud Julie d’Ys for his brave, edge-straddling hair vision, you’re better off playing it safe these days pal. Not that we should expect safe from a guy who spells his last name like an emoji forged with letters. d’Ys? Is that duh-yes? Maybe dies? How’d the Y get big? 😉

Another day, another high-fashion moment of cultural insensitivity. When will these visionaries learn?