Dolce & Gabanna Cares More About Animals Than People
Image Courtesy: Facebook
PETA obviously approves of Dolce & Gabanna switching from animal fur to faux fur alternatives and recycled materials. However, many speculate that this was just a distraction from their ongoing racist, homophobic, and misogynistic past.
Following Moncler's recent promise to stop sourcing fur materials, Dolce decided to join the movement. Yet, many are still angered by this due to Dolce’s problematic history with minority groups, while others simply choose to ignore their faults and mistakes. Some prominent and memorable examples include when the brand sent a model onto the runway donning a racist depiction of African Americans mimicking the “Blackamoor” statues, a character that harmfully depicts people of color. Another example is when Stefano Gabanna attended a 2013 Halloween party in blackface.
Further, in 2015, both Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabanna claimed they were against same-sex couples adopting a child. In a cover story titled Long-live the [Traditional] Family for an Italian magazine, Panorama, Mr. Dolce states, “I’m not convinced with what I call chemical children, a rented uterus, semen selected from a catalogue.” Upon hearing the insensitive comments, Elton John started the trend #BoycottDolceGabanna.
In 2016, the brand released a pair of $2,000 shoes called the “Slave Sandal,” which almost made it seem like they were asking for more controversy- as if they didn’t already have enough. The following year (although at this point, there’s a new controversy every season), and just after publicly appraising Melania Trump, the brand released a $245 shirt mocking the trend to “#BoycottDolce&Gabbana.” As promo for the product, D&G tweeted, “Dolce & Gabanna boycotts itself,” including photos of models wearing shirts that mimicked the same sentiment. After this publicity stunt, it's evident that the brand craves the negative attention. Yikes.
As for their controversies of 2018, we can’t forget how Stefano Gabanna commented on @thecatwalkitalia’s Instagram post of Selena Gomez’s red outfit. The picture’s caption simply read, “#selenagomez rocks red dresses…which is your fave?” To which Gabanna proceeded to comment, “She’s so ugly!!!” This instantly sent fans into outrage as they defended Gomez, the brand also being called out by 13 Reasons Why actress Tommy Dorfman, responding, “You’re tired and over. Your homophobic, misogynistic, body-shaming existence will not thrive in 2018. It is no longer tolerable or chic. Please take many seats.” Honestly, same Tommy.
But it doesn’t end there. A few years ago, the duo got called out for having a commercial including an Asian model trying to eat a cannoli with chopsticks (rolling eyes emoji), later harassing the blogger who called out the advertisement. Stefano made sure to let her know how he felt about this in the DMS by dissing the country of China as a whole, stating, “China Ignorant Dirty Smelling Mafia.”
However many controversies Dolce & Gabbana creates, many tend to forget the issues tied to this Italian brand. For everyone’s sake, let’s all hope they either 1. stop being this way or 2. get off social media altogether. The clothes may be cute, but they definitely are not worth supporting ignorant people who have repeatedly shown absolutely no intention of changing.
Strike Out,
Writer: Emily Fiorini-Casamayouret
Boca Raton
Emily Fiorini-Casamayouret is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine FAU. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys listening to sad music, doing some retail therapy, and eating pasta. You can reach her at emily.fiorini710@gmail.com
