![stella mccartney ankara print]()
The INSIDER Summary:
The INSIDER Summary:- Stella McCartney is being accused of cultural appropriation.
- The designer sent models down the runway wearing dresses with an Ankara print.
- Ankara is a traditional African print that is popular in West African countries like Nigeria, and distinguished by bright tribal patterns.
- The designer did not acknowledge the print's origins.
- People are also upset because the designer allegedly only included one model of color in the fashion show.
Stella McCartney is facing accusations of cultural appropriation following the designer's Paris Fashion Week runway show, which took place on Monday.
Models walked the runway wearing some items with an Ankara print, a colorful pattern with traditional African origins, but people on social media claim the designer used the print without giving proper credit to the culture it came from.
Ankara, which is also known as wax print, is a popular pattern in West African countries like Nigeria, according to All Things Ankara. The print is distinguished by bright colors, tribal designs, and cotton material. It's frequently used on dresses and is popular for everyday and formal outfits.
In the show's program, McCartney described her collection's aesthetic as "a joyful exploration of British style," according to Women's Wear Daily. In doing so, some argue that McCartney disregarded the African origin and inspiration of her designs.
People expressed their concerns with the collection on Twitter.
Today in Paris 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 ????????? pic.twitter.com/46ZPSa8P5O
— Fisayo Longe (@FisayoLonge) October 2, 2017
I'm Nigerian!This is a joke! Feels like a slap as well! Loads doesn't feel right here! Also feels exploitative! Where is the representation?
— Shomoye George (@shomoyegeorge07) October 5, 2017People are also upset because the designer appeared to only included one model of color in the fashion show.
So are we going to talk about Stella McCartney using Ankara prints,
meanwhile there was only ONE African model on her runway?!🙄 pic.twitter.com/ljrvfNYMNK
— Amarachi Nwosu (@AmaraWorldWide) October 2, 2017
How are you going to use African culture as your "inspiration" yet not even attempt to have African women represented on your runway?
— Amarachi Nwosu (@AmaraWorldWide) October 2, 2017#culturalappropriation and 1 black model ....👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽#stellamccartney@StellaMcCartney .... pic.twitter.com/yx06fLeIJm
— madina ( مدينة ) (@bemamadina) October 3, 2017This person succinctly summed up why a lot of people were offended by the show: "We all know African prints are awesome & beautiful, appreciate them, but don't make it look like you just discovered them."
We all know African prints are awesome & beautiful, appreciate them, but don’t make it look like you just discovered them #stellamccartney
— Literandra (@literandra) October 4, 2017However, some people said they didn't see anything wrong with the designs.
Totally dont c nothing wrong with this instead I feel proud that @StellaMcCartney will take inspiration from Africa.
— Czarmore (@Czarmore1) October 4, 2017
Im very proud of all this bc in African homes, we wear ankara to clean/cook . Seeing it on a runway. Now🙏❤. I ❤it. I love it😩👏👏👏
— Cécile victoire (@CecileIssowa) October 5, 2017
Stella did nothing wrong nor did this woman wearing native inspired garb by an Italian designer. It's a world of inspiration & diversity pic.twitter.com/LyOqu2ks6d
— RYAN FURLONG (@ryancfurlong) October 5, 2017Representatives for the brand have not publicly responded to the allegations and did not immediately reply to INSIDER's request for comment.
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