Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri presented their spring 2016 collection at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday, and while the comments regarding the clothes themselves were generally positive, a few critics took issue with the language used to describe the African inspiration. Words such as “primitive,” “wild” and “tribal” especially irked some reviewers, who tweeted their grievances from the front row.
Well kids, we’re going to “wild, tribal Africa.” #Valentino #pfw
— Robin Givhan (@RobinGivhan) October 6, 2015
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Others noticed that, for a collection inspired by Africa, there seemed to be a lack of representation of black models.
That’s very cute of #Valentino to pay homage to the African culture for the new collection, but ummm…where were the african models?
— Patrice Hall (@PatriceStylist) October 6, 2015
“African themed”…….like the continent? With more than 50 countries? Please tell us more Valentino -_- https://t.co/YFVHYWQ37P
— Roxy Ware (@xanattack16) October 6, 2015
Like most globally inspired collections, however, the fine line between admiration and cultural appropriation can be a difficult one to straddle. (The “China: Through the Looking Glass“-themed 2015 Met Gala is just one other example.)
Some of the clothes at Valentino are magnificent. However not sure about the whole usurping African culture thing. That’s a tricky one. #PFW
— Holly Golightly (@MsHGolightly) October 6, 2015
