FASHION GURU: DID WOMEN ASK FOR IT?
FASHION designer Donna Karan has apologised after she appeared to defend Harvey Weinstein and suggested women could be ‘asking for it’ by dressing a certain way.
Her comments at the CinéFashion Film Awards in Los Angeles sparked a backlash and Rose McGowan, one of Weinstein’s accusers, said she was ‘scum in a fancy dress’.
Speaking on Sunday, Miss Karan, 69, said: ‘I think we have to look at ourselves. Obviously, the treatment of women all over the world is something that has always had to be identified. Certainly in the country of Haiti where I work, in Africa, in the developing world, it’s been a hard time for women. To see it here in our own country is very difficult, but I also think how do we display ourselves? How do we present ourselves as women?
‘What are we asking? Are we asking for it by presenting all the sensuality and all the sexuality?’ Speaking about Weinstein, she said: ‘I don’t think we’re only looking at him. I think we’re looking at a world much deeper than that.
‘I know his wife, I think they’re wonderful people, Harvey has done some amazing things.’
On social media, Miss Karan faced calls for a boycott and actress and human rights campaigner Mia Farrow said she would never buy her clothes again. Miss Karan later apologised and said her comments had been taken out of context.
She said: ‘While answering a question on the red carpet I made a statement that unfortunately is not representative of how I feel or what I believe. My statements were taken out of context and do not represent how I feel about the current situation concerning Harvey Weinstein.
‘I believe that sexual harassment is not acceptable and this is an issue that must be addressed once and for all regardless of the individual.
‘I am truly sorry to anyone that I offended and everyone that has ever been a victim.’