Burberry Thinks a Noose is Fashion...

via CNN

At London Fashion Week, Burberry sent a model down the runway in a hoodie and a noose accessory. That’s unfortunately not a typo. And yes it’s 2019. And also Black History Month (in America).

Burberry CEO Marco Gobbetti and Chief Creative Director Riccardo Tisci released a statement to HuffPost UK stating: “We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by one of the products that featured in our A/W 2019 runway collection Tempest.”

“Though the design was inspired by the marine theme that ran throughout the collection, it was insensitive and we made a mistake.”

Distress? Mistake? This is highly unlikely for several reasons:

You’re telling me that in a fashion committee full of professionals with years of experience, no one told them that this “look” highly resembled such a traumatic part of global history and an ongoing instance for suicidal individuals?

Model Liz Kennedy who actually walked the runway show, questioned the intentions of the designers regarding this “accessory” before it hit the runway, but went ignored. In a now viral Instagram post she commented how this “accessory” presented a glamorization of suicide, something her family has a personal experience with. Kennedy noted that the brand was fully aware of the noose’s connotations— telling her to “write a letter” about her ‘concerns’ to the brand.

There was no “distress” from the designers who laughed after hanging the accessory from the ceiling during a fitting, and there was certainly no "mistake" from the designers who continued to approve of this garment, even when multiple individuals objected up until the moment it walked the runway.

Regardless of their intention, whether as shock value or a pathetic attempt to create something new, Burberry should have been aware of the societal impressions and implications. Just as they are aware of their monetary profits. Dr. Antonis Kousoulis, from the Mental Health Foundation analyzed the hoodie, discussing how fashion is just as influential as the media, and brands should be aware of the impact their clothing and images hold. “It’s not a media company but it’s heavily featured in the media so the same guidelines would apply.”

While some questioned why Kennedy still walked the runway, I think it is of greater value to note that she spoke out in the end. She is an example of using your voice, no matter how small, to impact change. Her viral post has been key in making the brand take down their product and hopefully reconsider its future 'creative' direction.

Burberry has removed the hoodie from their collection.