Yet another misstep by a global fashion step, this time by Burberry, whose lead creative. Riccardo Tisci, is definitely someone one would assume knows better. The label was called out for a hoodie detailed with noose (of all things!) by model Liz Kennedy, who walked the label’s fall 2019 runway in London on Sunday (February 17, 2019).
Burberry responded to the push back with an apology. In a statement, Burberry CEO Marco Gobbetti stated, “We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by one of the products that featured in our [fall] 2019 runway collection. Though the design was inspired by the marine theme that ran throughout the collection, it was insensitive and we made a mistake.”
On Instagram, Kennedy wrote, “Suicide is not fashion. It is not glamorous nor edgy and since this show is dedicated to the youth expressing their voice, here I go. Riccardo Tisci and everyone at Burberry it is beyond me how you could let a look resembling a noose hanging from a neck out on the runway. How could anyone overlook this and think it would be okay to do this especially in a line dedicated to young girls and youth.”
The noose controversy follows blackface controversy at Prada and Gucci plus a blow up over Adidas’ decision to include an all-white shoe in a Black History Month capsule. All of these events have occurred less than three months into 2019, enough so that it’s hard not at least consider accusations the labels are creating controversy intentionally as part of a marketing plan.
Fashion month is just about halfway over. It’d be great if Burberry’s screw up marks the last of this season’s easily prevented controversies, but the chances of that at the moment seems very small.
