In politics, fashion and image go hand in hand. What did Theresa May want to convey when she dressed in a link necklace and animal print shoes? Or what was Melania Trump doing in a devastated area with a parka that had an offensive message inscribed on the back of it? Everything communicates and more when you are in the spotlight.
The new vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris, has seen how all eyes were on her at the same moment her name came to light. Every gesture, word and act were analyzed to the smallest detail. So far, everything has been praise.
She liked it when Harris chose young Christopher John Rogers to design her outfit for Joe Biden's inauguration. An American, feminist and inclusive designer. Also when, on the eve of that day, she chose a camel coat signed by Pyer Moss, the signature of black designer Kerby Jean-Raymond, known for his activism against racial injustice and for his efforts to help and support little girls. companies during the crises caused by the covid-19 pandemic.
But her luck seems to have been cut short by choosing an outfit signed by Dolce & Gabbana to attend a luncheon with President Joe Biden. The vice president dressed in a gray blazer with suit pants and a black sweater topped with a necklace.
Vittoria Vignone, who runs the popular Kamala's Closet Instagram account, was quick to ask the question: "Was it an oversight on the part of her team?" Faced with the barrage of criticism and media noise, according to The Guardian, Vignone chose to temporarily close the account.
Despite this drastic decision, the comments that branded the brand "racist" and "sexist" were noted. "Someone needs to seriously tell their team about Dolce & Gabbana's problem with race issues," wrote one. At the moment, the Italian firm has not commented on the matter.
Dolce & Gabbana's morality has been called into question on several occasions. One of the most notorious was a 2019 campaign that, through three videos, were criticized for "trivializing" Chinese culture and representing Asian women in a stereotypical way. The firm apologized and subsequently removed the videos.
Before that, the firm already starred in another controversy in 2006 with a notorious campaign for the men's collection in which four men appeared to be staging a group rape. Also, a few years later, Madonna added fuel to the fire and starred in another campaign where she was portrayed as a housewife.
