Racism: Fashion’s Favorite Motif; Garage Magazine EIC Dasha Zhukova Sits On A ‘Black Woman’ Chair

Dear white fashion leaders,

People who don’t look like you are not characters, themes, props or novelties.

Sincerely,

#NotYourChair

Kicking off the first act of fashionable racism this year is Buro 24/7. Yesterday, which was Martin Luther King Day,  the online publication released an editorial featuring Garage magazine’s white Editor-in-Chief Dasha Zhukova sitting on a ‘black woman’ chair. See image of foolishness above.

It’s not even the fact that the obviously offensive photo was released on a day recognizing  one of the most influential racial civil rights leaders, Dr. King, it’s the fact that in 2014, fashion still continues to use non-white races as props.  I don’t need to state the clear signs of racism here. I’m sure you can find outraged articles about it all over the web. We can all see what is wrong with an affluent decently-dressed white woman comfortably sitting on top of  a contorted half-naked black woman chair.

Buro 24/7′s Miroslava Duma issued a backhanded apology today after the tremendous amount of backlash. She posted via Instagram:
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“Dear all, Buro 24/7 team and I personally would like to express our sincerest apology to anyone who we have offended and hurt. It was ABSOLUTELY not our intention. We are against racism or gender inequality or anything that infringes upon anyone’s rights. We love, respect and look up to people regardless of their race, gender or social status. The chair in the photo should only be seen as a piece of art which was created by British Pop-Artist Allen Jones, and not as any form of racial discrimination.”

So basically, sorry but not sorry? The few people who did not find the editorial offensive, argued that Jones’ furniture sculptures includes white women donning the same bondage wear as the black woman.  How does that make the issue okay? If this art piece was intended for creative purposes, why not use a white woman chair? I know why, because a white woman chair would not get you as much attention as a black woman chair. I’ve worked on shoots and other creative projects; believe me when I say every detail is intentional.  They wanted shock value and they got it.

To further express contrition, the publication has also cropped the image, featuring only the stiletto boots of the chair.

Zhukova made sure to issue an apology as well:

“The chair pictured in the Buro 24/7 website interview is an artwork created by Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard, one of a series that reinterprets art historical works from artist Allen Jones as a commentary on gender and racial politics. Its use in this photo shoot is regrettable as it took the artwork totally out of its intended context, particularly given that Buro 24/7′s release of the article coincided with the important celebration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I regret allowing an artwork with such charged meaning to be used in this context. I utterly abhor racism and would like to apologize to those offended by my participation in this shoot.

Garage Magazine has a strong track record of promoting diversity and racial and gender equality in the worlds of art and fashion, and will continue in our mission to stir positive debate on these and other issues.” (Styleite)

I’m tired of “accidental” racism. We dealt with enough racist moments in 2013 alone. Can we just not go there this year? Remember when Julianne Hough did blackface for Halloween and then apologized claiming that she had no idea she would offend people? By now, everyone should know the difference between a good and bad idea.  But of course, it’s more fun to be an ignoramus and just apologize later.