The year in fashion controversy

Proenza Schouler was accused of cultural appropriation

In February, Proenza Schouler was roundly criticized for selling a Hawaiian lei-inspired accessory for nearly $1,500. Hawaiians and others have been outspoken in the brand’s social media comments section, saying that it is unethical for Proenza Schouler to appropriate the traditional art of lei making, especially to sell it at exorbitant prices.

As for the brand’s credit, a representative said that Proenza Schouler has worked with Hawaiian artist Pattie Hanna and a team of Hawaiian artisans, all of whom were suitably compensated. Even so, the rep acknowledged it we missed the mark and sales of lei were discontinued.

Vogue erased Palestine

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February, supermodel Gigi Hadid posted to her Instagram saying she would be donating money to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and Palestine, ending her post with the message HANDS OFF UKRAINE. HAND PALESTINE. PEACE. PEACE. PEACE.

When Vogue wrote about the post, it initially included the full context, including both mentioning Palestine. But a day later, Gawker reported that Palestine had edited from article, misleadingly suggesting that Hadid was only talking about Ukraine. After much criticism on social media, a reference to Palestine was reinserted into the article, ending the three days of controversy with little further explanation.

Dior demanded compensation from Valentino

In July, Valentino held a couture show in Rome right next to the Spanish Steps. The only problem: The event blocked access to Dior’s flagship store for most of the day.

This led to a rather odd open letter from Dior demanding the brand be compensated for lost revenue and disruption or pursue legal action. The request was later pulledwith sources citing friendly relations between the two brands.

Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie exhibitions

While the controversial elements don’t technically occur in 2022, the release of the documentaries Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons on Hulu in July and White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch on Netflix in March put their subject in the spotlight. At the same time, it sheds light on the years during which the two brands perpetuated dangerous beauty standards, as well as the relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Les Wexner, the founder of L Brands which was previously the parent company of both brands.

Both brands are trying to defuse the situation, emit the statement emphasized their renewed commitment to diversity and distancing themselves from past mistakes.

The end of Kanye West

Another big story this year, also ongoing, is Kanye West destroying his own legacy and career in a matter of months. What started as a public clash with its brand partners Adidas and Gap led to the cancellation of both projects as the rhetoric grew increasingly volatile. West stated he would pursue a solo career, creating his own independent brand without the backing of the larger fashion firms.

But then came his anti-Semitic comments, including expressing his admiration for Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, shredding whatever legacy the West left behind in the eyes of the media and fans one time. As of this writing, he’s toying with overt neo-Nazis and has been shunned and condemned by nearly the entire fashion world.

Banksy vs Guess

In November, famous (and anonymous) street artist Banksy posted to his nearly 12 million followers on Instagram that they should go to the Guess shop on Regent Street in London and shoplift.

This is because the store sells a collection in collaboration with the Brandalized company, which specializes in selling street art that uses imagery from Banksys art. While Guess deleted its own Instagram post about the collection, it hasn’t stopped selling its products. Brandalized responded to the controversy by editing a famous Banksy quote about the ethics of stealing to criticize the artist’s defensiveness.