We Need to Talk About... That Chanel Campagin
By now we’re probably all familiar with the Marc Jacobs dreadlocks controversy that happened during his Spring 2017 collection. Unfortunately, Jacobs wasn’t the only one appropriating black culture in his fashion collection. Chanel’s Spring 2017 runway show featured futuristic robots meshed with '90s hip-hop nostalgia, yet the campaign shoot presented Caucasian models fiercely rocking cornrows and bantu knots.
So what IS the problem with appropriating black hair styles?
Elle Magazine Beauty Editor Megan O’Neill wrote an insightful article: “Good Hair?” about Marc Jacob’s use of neon dreads in his runway show. O’Neill thanked Marc for spotlighting the diversity of black hair in a colorful, fun way and I, frankly agree with her! The fact that Marc Jacobs decided to celebrate hair culture, (which, dreadlocks are not limited to black culture, but are historically linked to Asians, Egyptians and can be traced all the way back to white Vikings), is awesome.
The R E A L issue isn’t really hair.
The real issue being brought to attention is that there still doesn’t seem to be a place for fashion diversity in a time (it’s 2017) and space (both on the runway and behind it) that constantly ‘celebrates’ different groups. Fashion and clothing can, and has, been a statement. Fashionable. Political. And Cultural. It has the opportunity to start conversations and most importantly, educate. But treating hair as a fad or trend, rather than insight of its timely and relevant historical context is really the issue.
(images via fashion gone rogue)
