Sikhs say Nordstrom apologized for turban, waiting for Gucci
PHOENIX (US): Nordstrom has apologized to Sikhs for selling a turban they found offensive, but a representative with the U.S. community’s top civil rights organization said Saturday they are still waiting to hear from the Gucci brand that designed it.
“We feel that companies are commodifying and capitalizing on something that is dear and sacred to people around the world,” said Simran Jeet Singh, a senior fellow with the New York-based Sikh Coalition, who said the turban has a deep religious significance for the men of his faith.
“And there is tension over the fact that the very article of our faith has been the focus of so much hate and violence and bullying,” he said, recalling that Sikhs wearing turbans have been attacked in hate crimes, including a man killed near Phoenix a few days after 9/11.
The current complaint springs from a Gucci head wrap that until Wednesday was advertised on Nordstrom’s website for 790 as the “Indy Full Turban.”
The description said the “gorgeously crafted turban is ready to turn heads while keeping you in comfort as well as trademark style.” The Nordstrom website on Saturday still had a reference to a Gucci “head wrap,” but it was listed as sold out and it was no longer pictured.
“We have decided to stop carrying this product and have removed it from the site. It was never our intent to disrespect this religious and cultural symbol. We sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been offended by this,” the department store said in a tweet.
Gucci’s turban was first talked about last winter, when a white model walked the runway wearing it during a fashion show.
Gucci had not responded to the criticism over the product by Saturday. Emails seeking comment were sent to Gucci through its public relations representatives and a corporate fashion services website.
“When companies appropriate articles of faith, they do not take into consideration the discrimination Sikhs face while adhering to the tenets of their faith. We appreciate @Nordstrom’s recognition of this problem & apology; we hope @Gucci will follow suit,” the Sikh coalition said in a Thursday tweet.
The coalition was formed after Balbir Singh Sodhi, a bearded Sikh American wearing a turban, was shot and killed on September 15, 2001, in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa when he was mistaken for an Arab Muslim.