Referring back to the article “D&G continues to bridge gap between generations” published two issues ago in The Wooster Voice, the contributing author introduced the brand D&G, its latest collection and fancy designs. However, the “minor hiccups” mentioned in the article was actually the sensational D&G racist news which happened only approximately four months ago. And “being hacked on social media” was merely a scapegoat for their own mistakes.
In mid-November of 2018, D&G released an advertisement publicizing the fashion show which would happen in four days in Shanghai, China. The video featured a Chinese model awkwardly using chopsticks (they call it “little stick”) to eat Italian food like pizza, mocking Chinese inability to properly eat foreign food. With no respect for Chinese culture and a false stereotype, the video shortly provoked public outrage. Facing the anger of a Chinese Instagram user, Gabbana reacted with more insulting and extremely offensive language such as “China Ignorant Dirty Smelling Mafia.” They then claimed their account was hacked, which is obviously skeptical given the founder’s long history of racist, homophobic and sexist remarks. Even in their later apology video, their casual address shows insincerity. After Chinese public figure’s reluctance to attend the fashion show, it was unsurprisingly canceled. Boycotting is happening; retail stores are closed and D&G is losing their Chinese market, which consists of one-third of their total market.
Fashion brands are not just about designs, but the ideas they are spreading, and the social responsibility they are taking. It is surprising that even the world’s most well-known corporations have such ignorance and racist ideology in their minds. And how ironic is it that D&G tries to make money from the demographic they are racist towards? Its commercial success means nothing if it has no awareness of racism and lack of cultural insensitivity. Whether or not D&G learns their lesson after this series of notoriety, we should never turn a blind eye to racism. A reflection on this issue: should we still support a fashion brand like D&G even though they have insightful design? In many situations, people are just not aware of the privilege due to their identity and are thus unaware of the racism. And perhaps with the lack of struggle of living in a different culture or just simply not being educated, some people might lack respect for other cultures and ignorantly believe in their own cultural superiority. Granted, my concern about this issue comes from a patriotic perspective, but what actually inspires me to expose this issue and express my thoughts is the anti-racism idea from a global scope. An international view of anti-racism could be concerned with and support anti-racism globally, whether it happens nationally or not.
Last but not least, I genuinely believe the article “D&G continues to bridge gap between generations” was well-written and only from a narrative perspective describing their design from an aesthetic perspective. I have no intention of blaming the contributing author at all. Perhaps when presenting a subject, doing research thoroughly would be necessary. I believe racism should be given serious attention, instead of omitted.
Shuwen Pang, a Contributing Writer for the Voice, can be reached for comment at SPang19@wooster.edu.