Dolce & Gabbana in "racist earrings" row Designer label Dolce & Gabbana has been accused of racism for its earrings shaped into the head of a black woman. The fashion circus may have chugged on to Paris , but talk is still centred on Milan: Dolce & Gabbana have been accused of sending out "racist" earrings on its catwalk. Models at its spring/summer 2013 show on Sunday at Milan Fashion Week wore plastic earrings shaped into the head of a black woman. The image also appeared on several dresses, tops and skirts. READ: Milan Fashion Week: Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer 2013 Beady-eyed observers have been quick to pick up on the earrings' likeness to Blackamoor artworks, which have denounced in the past for romanticising the slave trade (think gaudily painted turbaned-and-jewelled-up black Africans in various subservient poses). Critics also pointed out that the expansive 86-strong cast of models were all white. The 'Moors-inspired' pieces at Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer 2013 PHOTO: Vladimir Potop According to Vogue , Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have since clarified that the earrings are a homage to the Moors, Muslims settlers who arrived in Sicily in the 10th century. The island has been a long-time muse of the label and is the birthplace of Dolce; it was chosen as the location for the label's inaugural couture show in July. READ: Dolce & Gabbana couture autumn/winter 2012: The verdict It's not the first time that earrings have been the subject of a racism row: last year, Vogue Italia published a feature online referring to a pair of large, gold hoops as "slave earrings." The magazine subsequently apologised and blamed it on "bad translating." READ: Vogue Italia accused of racism for 'Slave earrings' feature