Dolce & Gabbana has cancelled its fashion show in China amidst racism allegations.
The brand originally sparked controversy over videos uploaded to its social media accounts in which an Asian model dressed in the brand’s clothes giggles as she attempts to use chopsticks to eat pizza, a cannoli, and spaghetti.
In the videos, a narrator can be heard asking questions in Chinese translated to say: “It’s still way too big for you, isn’t it?”
The clips were met with disgust and accusations of racism and racial stereotyping on the brand’s Instagram and Weibo accounts.
“It attempts to target China, but instead mocks them with a parodied vision of what modern China is not… a gag for amusement,” the Instagram account Diet Prada said.
Another person commented: “Crass, racist, condescending.”
Following the initial backlash, there were calls for a public apology and boycott of the controversial brand as outrage grew.
The accusations of racism increased after a post uploaded to Stefano Gabbana’s Instagram account appeared to show him defending the show and contributing to racial stereotypes through derogatory comments.
The designer later claimed he was hacked on Instagram, writing in bold red: “Not me” on a screenshot of the conversation and captioning it: “My Instagram account has been hacked. My legal office is working on this.
“I love China and the Chinese Culture. I’m so sorry for what happened,” he wrote.
On the official Dolce & Gabbana Instagram account, a second message reiterated the claim that the design duo had been hacked.
“We are very sorry for any distress caused by these unauthorised posts. We have nothing but respect for China and the people of China,” the post reads.
Ahead of the fashion show, celebrities including singer Karry Wang, a “brand ambassador” for Dolce & Gabbana, as well as models from modelling agency China Bentley, confirmed they would not be attending, according to CNN.
Dolce & Gabbana announced the show had been postponed on its Weibo account, after it was reported cancelled. Rumours have circulated that the fashion house was forced to cancel the show, with Diet Prada referencing the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Shanghai.
A spokesperson for the brand told The Independent: "The Great Show won't happen tonight. For the moment, please consider this event as suspended until further notice from Dolce & Gabbana."
This is not the first time the brand has found itself embroiled in controversy - in 2015, the designers sparked outrage for comments made regarding children born via IVF, calling them “synthetic.” Domenico Dolce later apologised.
And outspoken Gabbana frequently comes under attack for comments made on social media.
