Comme des Garçons Apologizes for Cultural Appropriation 2020
Comme Des Garçons Apologizes For Dressing White Models In Cornrow Wigs
It's extremely disappointing that in 2020, we're still styling white models in traditional black hairstyles. Comme des Garçons Homme Plus debuted its Fall/Winter 2020 menswear collection as part of Paris Fashion Week on Friday, Jan. 17. But the new designs were quickly upstaged by the cultural appropriation of the show's styling — featuring a mostly-white lineup of male models wearing braided lace front wigs.
Stylist Pierrick Le Verge, who goes by the alias Julien d'Ys has publicly apologized for his lapse in judgement. "Dear all, My inspiration for the Comme des Garçons show was Egyptian prince," d'Ys shared on Instagram. "A look I found truly beautiful and inspirational. A look that was an homage. Never was it my intention to hurt or offend anyone, ever. If I did, I deeply apologize."
This isn't the first time Comme des Garçons has been called out for lack of diverse representation. In 2018, the Japanese fashion house cast their first black model in over 20 years. The brand's latest stint in cultural appropriation is particularly strange, as it seems that the stylist wanted to highlight the inauthenticity of the wigs. He seemingly did so by deciding to pull the lace front further down on the forehead, and opt out of matching the hairline of the wigs to the natural hair color of the models.
Many have also expressed an issue with d'Ys claims of referencing ancient Egyptian, as there was no reference of that era in the actual designs of the collection.
Keep reading ahead for a closer look at the Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Fall/Winter 2020 menswear collection.
Comme des Garçons Mens Fall/Winter 2020
