Gucci pulls and apologizes for ‘blackface’ sweater that costs $890
Feb 07, 2019
Gucci has apologized and decided to stop selling a sweater with a design critics said resembled blackface, The Associated Press reports.
The sweater was an all-black turtleneck that covered the bottom half of the wearer’s face with a cutout around the lips.
Thick, oversized red lips surrounded the mouth of the model wearing the sweater, CNN reports.
You can see a screenshot of the sweater below:
Gucci apologizes for a wool sweater after complaints it resembled blackface makeup and says the item had been pulled from its online and physical stores. https://t.co/bo0FsEZoSi
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 7, 2019
Response: Gucci apologized for the outfit in a statement released on Wednesday.
Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper.
We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.
Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/P2iXL9uOhs— gucci (@gucci) February 7, 2019
“We can confirm that the item has been immediately removed from our online store and all physical stores,” Gucci said in a statement Wednesday. “We are fully committed to increasing diversity throughout our organization and turning this incident into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team and beyond.”
By the numbers: The sweater was briefly available on Gucci’s website before it was taken down, NBC News reports. The sweater reportedly sold for $890 in Gucci stores and online.
Criticism: Social media slammed the sweater when it surfaced online.
So @gucci puts out a sweater that looks like blackface……
On Black History Month….
And then issues an apology because they didn't know that blackface images are racist.🤦🏿♂️ pic.twitter.com/G3HjPTIuuQ
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) February 7, 2019
Back in December, Prada faced a similar criticism over its key chains and window displays, which featured monkeys with big red lips, according to Business Insider.
