Zara And Burberry Spark Controversy With Racist, Suicide Campaigns
The fashion industry is abuzz as brands make controversial statements, with Burberry showcasing a hoodie with a noose on it while Zara uses a freckled Chinese model in their latest campaign.
The former incident occurred during its Fall 2019 runway at London Fashion Week, as a model wore what is being described as a ‘noose hoodie’, prompting widespread anger for its insensitivity towards both suicide and racial genocide.
Model Liz Kennedy took to Instagram to voice her disapproval, saying in an extensive post: “Suicide is not fashion. It is not glamorous nor edgy.
“The issue is not about me being upset, there is a bigger picture here of what fashion turns a blind eye to or does to gain publicity.
“A look so ignorantly put together and a situation so poorly handled. I am ashamed to have been apart (sic) of the show”.
As word spread and the backlash came quickly, Burberry went on the defensive, with CEO Marco Gobbetti saying in a statement released to CNN: “We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by one of the products that featured in our A/W 2019 runway collection.
“Though the design was inspired by the marine theme that ran through the collection, it was insensitive and we made a mistake”.
Burberry creative director Riccardo Tisci added: “I am so deeply sorry for the distress that has been caused as a result of one of the pieces in my show on Sunday”.
However, this was not even the strangest cause for controversy in the industry, as Spanish fashion label Zara has come under fire for a lipstick ad on its Weibo account that, according to some, ‘uglifies China’.
The ad sparked controversy for its use of model Li Jingwen (professionally known as Jing Wen), as her freckled appearance was evidently cause for concern, with the preference being clear-skinned faces.
One commenter said: “Such pictures featuring an Asian model with freckles and an expressionless pie-shaped face mislead (sic) Westerners’ impressions about Asian women and can lead to racism against Asian women”.
The campaign has even drawn comparisons to Dolce & Gabanna’s ill-fated campaign in which a Chinese woman was displayed eating Italian food with chopsticks.
Jing, a leading model from China, has previously modelled for Prada, and appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia and Vogue China, causing many to be bewildered by the negative response.
Art blogger and Sina Weibo user “Airan” told the Global Times: “Beauty or ugliness is not the only standard for models.
Instead, faces that can leave audiences with a visual shock are welcomed in the modelling industry”.
Jing has not yet commented, though her appearance had previously been addressed as an issue for her growing up, saying in a 2016 piece for Vogue: “When I was little, I really hated them because normally Asians don’t have them.
“In high school, I always tried to cover them, but now it’s okay.
“I like them, and that’s enough”.
Latest News
Voting For B&T’s 30 Under 30 People’s Choice Awards Is Now Open!
Of all the awards B&T hands out, THIS is one of our favourites. That & our in-house 'staff f@ck-up of the month' trophy.
QUT And BCM Launch Campaign Celebrating Women In STEM
QUT’s long-term agency partner, BCM, has developed a thought provoking and impactful campaign for the university to coincide with 2021 International Women’s Day.
NRMA Insurance Unveil Next Instalment Of ‘Every Home Is Worth Protecting’ Campaign, Via The Monkeys
To demonstrate that every home is worth protecting, NRMA Insurance has released its latest campaign that sees the return of young boy Sammy as he continues his quest to look out for the homes of Australia’s iconic but vulnerable koalas. Created by The Monkeys, part of Accenture Interactive, the campaign centres on Sammy as he […]
Westpac Launches New Campaign To Highlight Life’s Eventful Moments, Via DDB
Westpac has launched its new brand campaign, created by DDB Sydney, highlighting life’s eventful moments where all the surprise, excitement, vulnerability, and challenges can lie; in moments both big and small. Westpac Group Head of Brand, Advertising and Media, Jenny Melhuish said, “our new work builds on our ‘help’ series, which focused on those really […]
GHO Strengthens Equity Team With Hamish Stewart Promoted To Creative Partner
GHO has appointed Hamish Stewart as an equity partner in the business. Hamish joins GHO’s four existing partners to round out the diversity of experience offered by the agency across research, strategy, design, digital and creative marketing.
The MINT Partners Expand Client Line-Up For 2021
The MINT Partners, one of Australia’s leading integrated brand communications agencies have added a number of new clients to their roster for 2021. Using the exceptional disruption of 2020 as an opportunity to evolve the business, MINT has enjoyed recent success with an expanded portfolio across categories including food & beverage, fashion, design, and property. […]
Spotify Launches EQUAL: Global Commitment To Women In Audio
Coincidence this was unveiled on International Women's Day? Well, we don't think so. Well, we don't know, to be honest.
Northern Rivers Based Agency Barefruit Marketing Launches Innovative Campaign For Raine & Horne Office
The agency produced the commercial in just a few short months, when they were awarded the brief by Raine & Horne Ocean Shores, Brunswick Heads and Murwillumbah at the end of last year.
Institute Of Data Launches New Education Program For Marketers
Institute Of Data & the Ponds Institute are easily confused. Yet, one's the science of the epidermis & the other isn't.
Pinterest Launches International Women’s Day Campaign To Uplift Female Entrepreneurs
They say "the world's your oyster". That is unless you happen to be a Sydney Rock with a Kilpatrick or mornay dressing.
Tinder Supports LGBTQIA+ Community In Rural NSW With ‘Pride Ride’
Tinder is supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in rural NSW with a double-decker bus. Sounds like a plot to a film to us.
The Women Who Shaped Technology In 2020
Here's more confirmation of B&T's commitment to International Women's Day. And just wait for International Hot Dog Day.
Pymble Ladies’ College Collaborates With United Nations For New Brand Platform Via McCann
Thinking of sending your daughter to Pymble Ladies' College? Confirm the exhorbitant school fees with this new campaign.
Global Women Creates International Women’s Day Campaign Focused On ‘The Motherhood Penalty’, Via Saatchi & Saatchi
Here's some top work from "across the ditch". And by "ditch" we mean the Tasman Sea to New Zealand and not North Sydney.
Enero Group Snares 10’s Carla Webb-Sear For CFO Role
Enero's new CFO Carla Webb-Sear is down Officeworks getting supplies as we speak. Including a "JOHN" pencil case.
For International Women’s Day, Look Back At B&T’s Past Women Leading Tech Winners: 2021 Applications Close Today!
It's a fine line between retrospective & blatant rehash. As you'll discover in B&T's Women Leading Tech winner rehash.
LEGO Revises Its Iconic 1981 ‘What It Is Is Beautiful’ Campaign In Celebration Of International Women’s Day 2021
LEGO's undoubtedly a brilliant toy for kids, yet few grow up to design Barbie's camper or build the Millennium Falcon.
Taboola To Give $500,000 In Free Advertising To Women-Owned Businesses As Part Of International Women’s Day
It's top work from B&T's good friends at Taboola today. Not that we saw a card or fruitcake last Christmas, mind you.
Clarins Launches #LiveBeautifully Series Of Films To Celebrate International Women’s Day
Everyone needs a top Clarins moisturiser to fight the signs of ageing & the signs of putting up with dickheads all day.
BWS & M&C Saatchi Celebrate Mardi Gras With Store Makeovers & Drag Queen Deliveries
There's a few sore Mardi Gras heads in the B&T office today. We've not enquired to what else is sore, to be honest.
DDB Marks International Women’s Day By Recreating Iconic Phyllis Robinson Speech
Need motivation that doesn't need chocolate from a vending machine? Watch this & avoid anaphylactic shock from the nuts.
Sunday TV Wrap: Ultimate Tag Premieres To Play Chasey With The Competition
Last night's TV numbers proved robust indeed. Suggesting everyone was too hungover from Saturday to get off the couch.
Sportsbet Goes In-House For Latest Lunacy
Arguably not really reading the mood in the room, Sportsbet's gone and launched a campaign on global women's day.
Double J Shares The Fifty Game-Changing Women Of Australian Music For International Women’s Day
Double J unveils the 50 game-changing women of Australian music, with Collette and Nikki Webster shock omissions.
Samantha Armytage To Leave Sunrise
To her credit, NO ONE in Australia has had their weight & their ovaries profiled by media quite like Samantha Armytage.
Foxtel Doubles-Down On Women’s Sport For International Women’s Day
We are huge supporters of women's sport here at B&T. Although we can give or take that cage fighting stuff in all truth.
UN Women Australia Ask ‘When Will She’ll Be Right?’ In New Campaign, Via The Monkeys
The Monkeys again proving we're "not just ridiculously overpriced chops on the BBQ" with provactive new work for the UN.
WPP AUNZ Women Talk International Women’s Day
WPP AUNZ's top talent talks International Women's Day. And never does the toilet seat "up or down" debate rear its head.
Compare The Market’s Meerkats Take Centre Stage With Meerkat Mondays
In its first major creative work in 12 months, Compare the Market went to extraordinary lengths to bring audiences its latest TVC.
Digital News Sites Up 8% YOY, With SMH Retaining Top Spot
It appears the global pandemic has proven a boon for local news sites. Apparently, Pfizer shareholders are happy too.
