Gucci is under fire again, months after discontinuing a black-and-red-mouthed balaclava sweater that invited comparisons to blackface. The Italian fashion brand showcased clothing that resembled straitjackets at its runway show on Sunday during Milan Fashion Week. One model silently protested the styles by writing “Mental health is not fashion” on their palms as they walked.
On Instagram, model Ayesha Tan-Jones, who uses "they" and "them" pronouns, posted a longer statement detailing their problems with the Gucci collection.
“As an artist and model who has experienced my own struggles with mental health, as well as family members and loved ones who have been affected by depression, anxiety, bipolar and schizophrenia, it is hurtful and insensitive for a major fashion house such as Gucci to use this imagery as a concept for a fleeting fashion moment.” The post had more than 6,840 likes by early afternoon on Monday. Tan-Jones also noted in a subsequent post that “many of the other Gucci models who were in the show felt just as strongly as I did.”