Every so often, the fashion industry, typically desperate to bring attention to itself, artlessly stumbles into a successful controversy. Many of these have revolved around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based Urban Outfitters. The publicly-traded, multinational corporation has come under fire in the past for selling a t-shirt with the phrase "Eat Less" advertised by a model some called “rail-thin,” a Holocaust-themed tapestry featuring an upside down pink triangle, and Kent State sweatshirts with bloodstains, referencing the 1970 campus massacre.
Peopled with characters of a gregarious nature, high fashion loves scandal, and Italian house Dolce & Gabbana has its own penchant for sparking dispute.
As part of its upcoming Spring Summer ’16 collection, the company, founded by designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, uploaded photos of its new line. One featured item is a multi colored sandal with a pair of pom-poms attached.
The price? $2,395. The name? The Slave Sandal.
— M (@militntmaharani) March 3, 2016
The shoe’s name has understandably raised a few eyebrows, and the company was quick to alter the name. Dolce & Gabbana’s website now lists the footwear as the "Decorative Flat Sandal."
Retailers Saks Fifth Avenue and Moda Operandi are billing the shoe as the "Pom Pom Leather Lace-Up Sandal" and "Pom Pom Wrap Around Sandal."
— Aaron (@donafella) March 3, 2016
A number of Twitter users, as expected, expressed outrage over the incident.
D&G faced controversy in 2012, when they adorned runway models with earrings designed to look like black women.
One can only hope that haute couture’s desperate efforts to be noticed evolve into something a little classier.
