Gucci says sorry and withdraws €785 ‘golliwog’ polo neck
GUCCI withdrew a designer black polo neck from its shops and websites yesterday after it was compared to offensive “golliwog” images, in the latest racism row to engulf an Italian fashion house.
The black jumper, which sells for $890 (€785), can be pulled up over the lower half of the face, leaving a person’s mouth framed with giant red lips.
The row came as several politicians in the United States, including the attorney general of Virginia, have been embroiled in “blackface” controversies after blacking up in the past as a prank or joke.
Mark Herring, the state’s attorney general, issued a statement on Wednesday saying that he wore brown make-up and a wig to look like a black rapper during a party that he attended as an undergraduate in 1980.
The Gucci sweater prompted indignation on social media, with one woman writing: “You mean to tell me NO ONE saw the awful blackface resemblance with this shirt? This is clear-cut proof that there is a HUGE lack of diversity at Gucci.”
The polo neck was described as “a racist golliwog image”, with one Twitter user remarking: “Jesus Christ. Who actually thought that this would be a good idea?”
But others said the criticism was an over-reaction. “The only offensive thing about this is the price. I suppose balaclavas are all racist now, too,” was one typical remark. In a statement, Gucci said: “We deeply apologise for the offence caused by the wool balaclava jumper. We confirm that the item has been immediately removed from our online store and all physical stores.”
D&G caused offence three years ago when it released an item of footwear that it called a “slave sandal”. In December, Prada was forced to withdraw a line of figurines that featured monkey-like characters with big red lips. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
‘The most offensive thing about it is the price’