A show during London Fashion Week has been heavily criticized by organizations for “glorifying” domestic violence by adding black eyes, bruises and injuries to models.
“A black eye is not a fashion accessory. Without knowing exactly whether this will raise awareness of domestic violence, the model and designer run the risk of trivializing domestic violence and its effects on women and children,” emphasized Farah Nazeer, the director, on Tuesday. Director of domestic violence charity Women’s Aid, The Independent reported.
During London Fashion Week last Friday, several models, including popular Russian model Irina Shayk, walked the catwalk with faces swollen with realistic makeup in clothes by fashion designer Mowalola Ogunlesi.
“We run from pain, but we need pain to survive,” the Mawalola brand reportedly wrote about accidents, according to British media.
But for organizations fighting domestic violence, the artistic choice is far more damaging to survivors than a simple fashion faux pas, broadcast so widely and watched by millions of viewers, particularly during London Fashion Week.
“There is nothing glamorous about violence against women and girls. [Rendre] “Sensational physical violence as a fashion statement is extremely alarming,” the refuge organization responded on Twitter.
Activist Aisha Ali-Khan also didn’t mince her words, The Independent reported.
“Giving models a fake black eye is absolutely reprehensible. What an insult to victims of #domesticviolence when injuries like these are glamorized for public consumption,” she reportedly complained.
The line’s creator had already caused controversy with one of her pieces, on which she allegedly attached a sacred Muslim text that was banned from reproduction, before deciding to remove the blasphemous motif from her collection, British media reported.