A Year of Controversy

2012 has proven to be a year of much controversy and discussion, with a lot of sexism, racism and anti-semitism. Here are some of the bigger stories.

Dolce & Gabbana: Southern Hospitality Gone Bad

Dolce & Gabbana found themselves in hot water after the world witnessed what was a very very curious collection. What was meant to be an ode to Sicilian heritage, really just came across as being intensely insensitive to the slave trade and the racism faced by Africans. 

Complaints From: Azalea Banks (and not just a complaint but a full on boycott from the condom blower herself)



"Whoever designed that racist ass Dolce and Gabanna collection needs a swift kick in the mouth and a big dick up the ass,"

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/thread-count/azealia-banks-denounces-racist-dolce-gabbana-clothing-line-20121023#ixzz2C5jZzZh8

Dolce's Response: The figures were based on Moorish figures, which do not refer to slavery, but to a general group of people. 

Yay or Nay? Azalea has a valid complaint, and Dolce's justification is just a tad ignorant. They may have been representing a group of people, but that group of people are not fond of their historical treatment. 

Diorshow Mascara: Enhancements Are Not Welcome

Complaints From: L'Oreal (better known as the one cosmetics company who gets gunned down for digital enhancement, sweep your own porch first dears..)

A few of L'Oreal's banned products:

"misleadingly exaggerated the likely effects of the product"

Dior's Response: that a "minimal" amount of enhancement was used.

Yay or Nay? Well the ASA banned the ad anyway, even though I thought it was petty of L'Oreal and hardly a huge offense for Dior. 

Victoria's Secret: The Kid Who Never Learns His/Her Lesson

Complaints From: Native Appropriations who said

"Besides the daily harm of these on-going micro aggressions for Native folks, the sexualisation of Native women continues to be an ignored and continuing epidemic,"

prior to that, complaints arose regarding their geisha collection too from Jessica Wakeman of The Frisky
“Considering the complicated history of geishas, repurposing the ‘look’ for a major corporation to sell as role-playing lingerie seems a bit tasteless,”

VS's Response: Karlie Kloss who modeled the Indian get-up apologised and so did VS,

"I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone. I support VS's decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast."

with regards to the Geisha scandal though, many people were divided on whether it was racist at all. The campaign was pulled though, which speaks louder than any apology.

Yay or Nay? Victoria's Secret is a brand which revels in the hypersexualisation of women in general, which in my opinion makes it irrelevant to complain about one particular group when the shows and campaigns coordinated by the brand are all aimed at portraying women in a sexy and quite frankly, objectified way. So no, I don't agree with the fuss, because it isn't about race, it's about an entire condoned market.

what do you think? hit me up at thealteregofashionista@gmail.com or follow me @TheAttaMonster.