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A poster by fashion designer Annah Stretton posted on a busy Wellington CBD street has been criticized for showing models with “racist” makeup.
The Hunter St poster featured Stretton along with two women of color who wore makeup that exaggerated their lips and eyes, with the caption: “Most people will tell you what you can’t do. I’m only interested in what I can do. “
AUT associate professor of social sciences, Dr. Camille Nakhid, said the poster was ignorant and the models had been portrayed as “caricatures.”
“People of color don’t need to have parts of their anatomy, which have been teased in the past, exaggerated for ‘art,'” Nakhid said.
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“To emphasize the eyes and lips of women with the text, just show the ignorance of the designer. As a fashion designer, you have a lot of power and money to pay models to do what you ask them to do. I think she is well aware that she is pulling shots. He is very ignorant if he does not recognize his power.
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The Annah Stretton Wellington poster has come under fire for being racially insensitive.
“Any thinking person in 2020 will see that poster as a caricature of people of color and their resemblance to golliwogs.”
In recent decades, golliwog dolls, which have white-rimmed eyes, exaggerated red lips, and frizzy hair, have been increasingly seen as a symbol of racism and as degrading figures.
Annah Stretton has been contacted for comment.
The poster was also an advertisement for designer annahstrettonunlimited.com’s website, where she offered business advice.
Fashion brands around the world have made headlines for their racial insensitivity.
Last year, Katy Perry’s fashion line apologized for her shoes that featured bulging eyes, a red nose and lips, which critics compared to a black face, shortly after Gucci recalled a sweater from the market over complaints that the oversized neck designed to cover the face looked like black face makeup.
DAVID BLANCO / THINGS
AUT Associate Professor of Social Sciences, Dr. Camille Nakhid, says the poster is ignorant and the models were portrayed as “caricatures.”
Nakhid said that while it was frustrating when brands appeared to use social media racism or outrage as a marketing tactic, consumers had to be vigilant and hold companies to account.
Say it, each and every time. Fighting racism is not a sprint, it is a marathon.
“Businesses cannot dismiss racism as art or creativity and downplay how people of color feel when they see an offensive ad.”
