Gucci released a new women's sweater this week that immediately sparked backlash. The Italian label's "wool balaclava jumper" is a black turtleneck sweater that features a mouth cutout (like an actual balaclava) when pulled up over the chin. The issue, though, is what surrounds that cutout: a red panel that looks like a pair of exaggerated lips and resembles offensive blackface caricatures. Not surprisingly, users on social media were shocked and incensed. "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," Tariq Nasheed wrote on Twitter. Another Twitter user, @fuckrashida, offered a sardonic "Happy Black History Month y’all." The backlash comes at a time when blackface controversies are in the national news thanks to Virginia's governor and attorney general. Governor Ralph Northam is under fire for a racist photo in his medical school yearbook featuring blackface (and someone wearing a KKK hood, to boot). And more recently Attorney General Mark Herring has confessed to wearing blackface when he dressed up as rapper Kurtis Blow for Halloween in 1980. It also comes as another brand, Adidas, drew fire for its Black History month misstep: an all-white version of the ongoing Ultra Boost Uncaged sneaker that, aside from the obvious color issues, suggested that the sportswear brand was completely unaware of how the meaning of "uncaged" might shift to something terrible within the context of black American history. Gucci released a statement saying that the label "deeply apologizes for the offense caused by wool balaclava jumper" and confirming the $890 knit top has been pulled from stores. "We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make," the statement continues. The Tweets tell it all. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. 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 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Balaclava knit top by Gucci. Happy Black History Month y’all. pic.twitter.com/HA7sz7xtOQ — Cocolo Minaj (@evilrashida) February 6, 2019 Esquire reached out to the label for additional comment, but a spokesperson for the brand declined to offer anything further. Here's Gucci's full statement: This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. 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 While the exact mechanics that led to this unfortunate incident are unclear, it highlights an ongoing issue of representation and racial awareness within the fashion industry. That Prada was just recently in a similar situation and issued its own statement apologizing for selling accessories that resembled blackface only serves to illustrate the pervasiveness of the problem. From the runway to the boardroom, one glaringly obvious solution is creating greater diversity, providing more platforms for people of color, and listening to what those people have to say. As one Twitter user, Vanessa Veasley, responded, "If you hire more Black people and cultivate an environment where people on all levels of the company feel comfortable to speak up incidents like this will be avoided." This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. If you hire more Black people and cultivate an environment where people on all levels of the company feel comfortable to speak up incidents like this will be avoided. — Vanessa La Rue Veasley (@VanessaVeasley) February 7, 2019 Jonathan Evans Jonathan Evans is the style director of Esquire, covering all things fashion, grooming, accessories, and, of course, sneakers. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>The wait is over, you can finally see this adorable panda cub Viral 'Charlie bit my finger' video to be taken down. Here's why (CNN) — Gucci has apologized and discontinued selling a sweater that social media users said resembles blackface because of its design. In a Twitter post Wednesday, the Italian luxury brand said it “deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper.” The top, which is no longer on the company’s website, is a black turtleneck sweater that pulls up over the bottom half of the face with a cut out and oversized red lips around the mouth. 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 on 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.” The sweater had been slammed on social media, with Twitter users saying it resembled blackface and expressing emotions ranging from exasperation to outrage. “Today Gucci released their Balaclava Knit Top. Sigh. Really Gucci? Really?” Keisha Ka’oir tweeted. Today Gucci released their Balaclava Knit Top. Sigh. Really @Gucci? Really? pic.twitter.com/ETWKFhHVEB — K E I S H (@MikeishaDache) February 6, 2019 Michael Bonner tweeted his frustration at the constant depiction of racist imagery in the news recently. “One day I am going to deliver a prolific dissertation on how it feels to live in a continuous cycle of disrespect as a black man,” he said. “Gigantic brands like @gucci create offensive “fashion”, quickly apologize, and then state, ‘We did not know.” I don’t care. This is unacceptable.” One user noted that the controversy was taking place during Black History Month and expressed skepticism that it would stop people from buying the brand. This is not the first time a fashion brand has been accused of using such imagery. Last year, luxury fashion house Prada said it withdrew products after some items displayed in a Manhattan storefront were seen as depicting blackface imagery. The products, part of Prada’s Pradamalia line, were pulled after images surfaced of some merchandise depicting monkey-like figures with black faces and large red lips. The latest controversy also comes as Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is facing criticism and calls to resign because of a photograph on his page in his medical school’s yearbook showing one person in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood. Northam initially apologized for the photo, saying he was in it, without specifying which person he was. He later denied he was in the yearbook photo but admitted he had once dressed in blackface during a dance contest in San Antonio. Northam met Wednesday with Southern Christian Leadership Conference President Dr. Charles Steele Jr. and Dr. Bernard LaFayette, chairman of the SCLC board, two well-known black leaders from a group once led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The meeting was an effort to better understand how he can move past the scandal that has engulfed his office, an adviser to the Democrat tells CNN.<doc-sep>Catwalking Many people noted that this happened during Black History Month, and it was a reminder of the scandal in Virginia, which started when it was discovered that a page of Governor Ralph Northam's medical school yearbook included a picture of a man in blackface with another man dressed as a member of the KKK; the attorney general of the state has also admitted to wearing blackface in college. A few hours after the screenshots of the Gucci sweater began circulating, Gucci released an official statement on its Twitter account, apologizing for the sweater. "Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper," the brand said. "We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make. We are committed to increasing diversity throughout our organization and turning this incident into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team and beyond." This isn't exactly an isolated incident in the luxury fashion space: Just last year Prada pulled a monkey key chain that was likened to blackface imagery from its stores. In 2017 Gucci was accused of plagiarizing the work of legendary Harlem tailor Dapper Dan; the brand issued a formal apology and worked on building a relationship with the designer. A year later Gucci released an official collaboration with Dapper Dan and opened a joint atelier in New York. The gaffe prompted a thorough and thoughtful internal response to make sure this doesn't happen again. On March 18, Gucci unveiled its 'Gucci Changemakers' program, which includes a $5 million fund that will invest in non-profit organizations benefitting people of color, as well as a scholarship program for fashion students from underrepresented backgrounds. An external council has been recruited to assist with the program's launch, including Gucci collaborator and critic Dapper Dan. "It is imperative that we have a seat at the table to say how we should be represented and reimagined," Dan said about the Changemakers program in a statement. "Through our work together, Gucci is in a position to lead the overall industry toward becoming a better, more inclusive one." This post has been updated.<doc-sep>
Gucci has removed a controversial sweater from its website and apologized after some people said the sweater resembled blackface. The black turtleneck covers the face and has mouth opening with red lips surrounding it. It originally cost $890, according to screenshots from the Gucci website, taken before the product was removed. Many Twitter users who saw the sweater before it was removed were outraged that Gucci would release such an insensitive garment and tweeted to the company, demanding a change. Several people pointed out that not only did the sweater resemble the racist act of blackface, but it was released during Black History Month. A screenshot taken before the sweater was removed made its rounds on social media, with many people writing to Gucci in outrage over the racist sweater. Gucci Gucci removed the product and released a statement via Twitter 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," the company wrote, sharing an image of a longer statement. 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 Gucci said the company is fully committed to increasing diversity throughout the organization. Several people pointed out that if more people of color worked at the fashion house, this insensitive garment may have been flagged as inappropriate and racist before being sold. Lawmakers in the state of Virginia are also embroiled in a blackface controversy, with two top officials admitting to wearing blackface in the past. Several Twitter users pointed out that Gucci appeared to disregard this current scandal and seemed out of touch. 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 Prada and Gucci finally pulled their $550.00 keychain and $890 sweater after protesters called out racist imagery and deemed them unacceptable. Why didn't the brands see this? https://t.co/vnJJWv61Mp — Nancy Etcoff (@NancyEtcoff) February 7, 2019 Another major fashion brand was recently called out for using racist blackface images. In December, Prada came under fire for using blackface-style imagery in at least one of its New York City storefronts and online. The luxury brand was featuring a black caricature with exaggerated big red lips. Photos of the display brought fierce backlash on social media and prompted the company to get rid of the items.