ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images
Cult Japanese label Comme Des Garçons has apologized for dressing white models in its Paris Fashion Week runway show in cornrow wigs. The styling choice, unveiled over the weekend, sparked immediate backlash from Twitter users and commentators, with popular fashion criticism account Diet Prada declaring the choice “problematic,” writing: “[Comme] seemed to have taken a step back with their men’s show … It was only in 2015 that Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic said that Zendaya’s dreadlocks at the Oscars made her look like she ‘smells like patchouli oil or weed’.”
Comme has now shared a statement to Dazed magazine apologizing for offending parts of their audience. “The inspiration for the headpieces for Comme des Garçons menswear FW’20 show was the look of an Egyptian prince. It was never ever our intention to disrespect or hurt anyone – we deeply and sincerely apologise for any offense it has caused.” The statement, notably, only apologizes for causing offense, and not for the act itself. In a separate post, the show’s hairstylist, Julien d’Ys, also apologized for causing offense, writing: “My inspiration for the Comme des Garçons show was Egyptian prince A Look i found truly beautiful … Never was it my intention to hurt or offend anyone, ever. If I did I deeply apologize.”