8 Reasons Why This Photo Is Everything That Is Wrong In The Fashion Industry
In the name of fashion and art everything goes, including respect and decency for man, woman, and child.
By Mei Mei Chu — 22 Jan 2014, 07:04 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
Russian magazine Buro 24/7 posted a photo of socialite and Garage Magazine Editor-In-Chief Dasho Zhukova sitting on a bounded black woman for an interview on 20 January 2014
Garage Magazine Editor-In-Chief Dasha Zhukova Sits On A 'Black Woman' Chair In Shocking Editorial
Image via fashionbombdaily.com20 Jan 2014, Miroslava Duma’s new online magazine Buro 247 published an article on Russian socialite Dasha Zhukova. The illustration? A serene looking Zhukova sitting on a ‘black woman’ chair.
fashionbombdaily.comThe Editor-in-Chief of Garage magazine perches on a black ‘dummy,’ (not a real human) who is nude save panties, a garter belt, elbow length gloves, and knee high boots, her folded knees suggestively pushing her naked breasts against her body. As Dasha stares out at the camera in the light filled room, she appears the total opposite of the compromised black woman on the floor.
fashionbombdaily.comNeedless to say, people were offended and disgusted by the racist nature of the photo, forcing the editor, Miroslava Duma to issue a statement and apology.
“Buro 247″ is run by Miroslava Duma, the girlfriend of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. The magazine has since cropped the chair out of the photograph.
Duma posted the offensive image to Instagram before deleting it in the face of a barrage of critical comments.
nypost.com
Buro 24/7 editor, Miroslava Duma, issued a statement about the controversial image on her Instagram page.
Image via imgur.comBuro 24/7 has since edited the colour and cropped the photo. Here are 8 reasons why Garage Magazine has opened up a can of worms with their shocking artistic direction:
Buro 247 has since cropped and changed the colour of the photo to black and white
Image via imgur.com1. Modern day ignorance is the only explanation as to why the photo was posted on Martin Luther King Day, a day where the world honours the man who led the emancipation of black people from slaves to citizens.
As we pause to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring message of Civil Rights and equality, we must deal with the reality of modern day ignorance and racial insensitivity.
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Modern day ignorance is the only answer to why the photo was coincidentally posted on Martin Luther King Day, a day where the world honours the man who lead the emancipation of black people from slaves to citizens.
Image via wordpress.com2. The women-furniture sculptures that were designed by Allen Jones in 1969 were a reflection of the experiences of women in that era. It was never meant to be sat on.
The women-furniture sculptures that were designed by Allen Jones in 1969 were a reflection of the experiences of women in that era.
Image via imgur.comToday Mr Jones said: “It’s obviously a copy of my sculpture and I supposed I should be flattered.
“I never meant the chair to be sat on.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone using it as actual furniture and I think it would be rather uncomfortable.”
In Jones's view ‘because these 3 sculptures of women are recognisably representational it is less obvious that the sculpture is not about being naturalistic. They are not so much about representing woman but the experience of woman, not an illusion’.
tate.org.uk
3. The art direction of a white woman sitting on a black woman evokes a totally different definition to the art work
Ms Zhukova was pictured sat on the mannequin of a half-naked black woman for a photoshoot with Buro 24/7
Image via independent.co.ukThe black woman is barely clothed, bound up, and clearly objectified. She is being used as the sexual object elevating the white woman.
This image says, “We might accept white women as equals, people with value beyond their bodies, but not black women. Never black women.”
4. The image of a white woman sitting on a black woman portrays white dominance and superiority over the latter
The message: white dominance and superiority, articulated in a seemingly serene yet overtly degrading way.
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5. The repercussion of mass black oppression is still felt by the black community until today. The picture is insensitive to those who are still recovering from the pain that they, or their ancestors had experienced.
The most poignant thing about the photo is that it is a very accurate depiction of how black women (and black people in general) are treated in the fashion industry.
6. Racism aside, it does not matter if the chair was white, yellow, or purple. Women are not objects and should not be turned into "things".
T he chair seems to be an iteration of this bondage chair, created by Allen Jones ca. 1969.
Image via fashionbombdaily.com7. The photo promotes the idea of casual racism, sexism, and hyper-sexualization of women in the fashion industry
8. The photo also proves how readily fashion would sacrifice the decency of a woman, man or child to be cutting edge
The art and fashion industries are the few bastions of society where blatant racism and ignorance are given the greenlight in the name of creativity.
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