Racist Fashion Design During Fashion School Event Gets Criticized

(Photo : Reuters)

The anti-black style in the past years had become out of season in the fashion world, said an article from Mitu. 

Due to the presence of racism, anti-black issues, and cultural appropriation has been witnessed in the runway. This is also evident that in some schools, these types of issues are highly observed. 

A Story of Racism at School

Currently, the Fashion Institute of Technology is receiving a great number of criticism from various communities due to an anti-black controversy. The issue happened when one of the educational institution's graduate student sent a group of models in the runway wearing racist fashion.

The Fashion Institute of Technology had held a presentation event to showcase the masterpieces of their students. The fashion show event was for the school's first MFA Fashion Design class. It was seen that the student had sent their models to walk on the runway wearing their designs. 

Junkai Huang was one of the designers who sent their models on the runway. Her design stood out in the crowd for its racist design. Her models were seen wearing big prosthetic ears and lips. Also, her models included in their look a pair of bushy eyebrows. Due to the appearance of the models, some people who witnessed the runway show commented that the fashion style of the models was racist. 

Through the social media platform Instagram, Diet Prada shared on Monday some images captured during the show. According to someone who went to the show, the designer of the controversial runway designs wanted to express and put emphasis on the "ugly features" of a person's body. The designer interpreted that concept through the creative usage of adult toys.

One of the Models Who Backed Out on the Show

One of the supposed models of the show, Amy Lefévre, backed out after seeing the controversial props of the designer. Upon seeing the props, she said that just thinking of wearing the designs made her feel uncomfortable. Also, she commented that the designs were racist. 

After being told that it will be fine wearing the designs for only 45 seconds, she decided to back out from the show.

Lefévre felt unstable for not being able to control her emotions. She shared how her body was shaking. She said that it was the first time she felt that way her entire life. 

She expressed how people of color are already being challenged too much by society in 2020. She commented that the event organizers should have screened and studied the accessories which the designers will be making their models wear.

Fashion Institute of Technology's Statement

The president of the Fashion Institute of Technology Doctor Joyce F. Brown had released a statement about the issue. 

Brown stated that the school's program aims to protect the freedom of the student to create their personal and one-of-a-kind artistic point-of-views as designers. They also have spoken their support to their students to express themselves even if it was provocative to some as long as they find their voice. However, the president did express that the provocative fashion designs of the students should not offend other people and make them feel intimidated or uncomfortable. He said that he will make an effort to investigate the matter. 

The Apology

The school also released an apology by stating the accessories used for the fashion show was not made to make a message about race. However, the show had resulted in a misunderstanding and had offended some people. For that reason, the school expressed their apologies through a statement they released.