It took model Liz Kennedy raising concerns about a questionable hoodie on the Burberry runway for the luxury fashion brand to recognise its apparent oversight.
Burberry Group’s CEO Marco Gobbetti and the Chief Creative Ricardo Tisci have apologised for the “insensitive” hoodie. According to BBC, Ricardo said the design was inspired by a nautical theme but added “I realise that it was insensitive”.
Liz took to Instagram to voice her concerns. “How could anyone overlook this and think it would be okay to do this especially in a line dedicated to young girls and youth [sic],” says Liz in her post.
She mentions that suicide is not fashion and highlighted that the way the hoodie was tied also resembles lynching. Liz said she was left triggered after seeing the hoodie.
The Guardian reported that Burberry has removed this hoodie from its Autumn/Winter collection and all photographs featuring it.
The resemblance of suicide imagery in fashion items is not only insensitive when globally, according to the World Health Organisation, one person dies every 40 seconds due to suicide, but also very much affects the fashion industry as well.
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Fashion has lost many of its industry leaders due to suicide. Just last year, the tragic death of fashion designer Kate Spade, the founder and former co-owner of her names sake brand, was announced. According to the Washington Post, medical examiners confirmed that Kate Spade’s cause of death was suicide by hanging.
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In 2010, the death of British fashion designer and couturier Alexander McQueen was announced. CNN reported that the police confirmed that Alexander McQueen’s cause of death was due to asphyxia and hanging due to suicide.
Many models, like Liz, have also been affected by suicide and some have even been victims of mental health issues, leading them to suicide attempts. Victoria’s Secret model Bridget Malcolm and model Lara Kitchen are just some of the models who have opened up about being survivors.
Fashion never exists in a vacuum and, in Liz Kennedy’s words, “suicide is not fashion”.
Speaking with BBC, the Burberry Group head said: “We will reflect on this, learn from it and put in place all necessary actions to ensure it does not happen again."
For anyone struggling with mental illness you can contact The South African Depression and Anxiety Group 24 hour helpline: 0800 12 13 14
For a suicidal emergency contact The South African Depression and Anxiety Group on 0800 567 567
To contact a counsellor between 8am-8pm Monday to Sunday you can call: 011 234 4837
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