Gucci model protests during Milan fashion week show featuring straitjackets
Ayesha Tan Jones protesting during the Gucci show (Picture: Getty Images Europe) When Ayesha Tan Jon..
When Ayesha Tan Jones walked down the catwalk for Gucci at their Milan fashion week, she made an impromptu protest.
After featuring in a segment with models wearing clothes based on straitjackets, Ayesha held up the words mental health is not fashion on her hands.
Gucci defended the show, saying the jackets, designed by creative director Alessandro Michele, wont be sold but were meant to represent how society today can have the ability to confine individuality and how Gucci can be the antidote.
The models stood on a conveyor belt that moved them along the catwalk as they stared straight ahead, each dressed in a take on the straitjacket.
After the show, Ayesha posted a video on Instagram and said: 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, is hurtful and insensitive for a major fashion house such as Gucci to use this imagery as a concept for a fleeting fashion moment
She later added: It is in bad taste for Gucci to use the imagery of straitjackets and outfits alluding to mental patients, while being rolled out on a conveyor belt as if a piece of factory meat.
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Presenting these struggles as props for selling clothes in todays capitalist climate is vulgar, unimaginative and offensive to the millions of people around the world affected by these issues.
Ayeshas followers responded to her post and thanked her for speaking out.
One said: This is so brave of you. I love Gucci as a brand and I appreciate Alessandros work but as someone who lives with anxiety disorder, I will think twice before purchasing anything from the house again. Thank you for raising up your voice.
Another added: This was such a brave & meaningful thing to do, and I have so much respect for your message and the risks it must have taken for you to speak this truth.
Straitjackets have been used to oppress our most vulnerable people, and fashion continues to oppress so many people – from starved models to slave labour. Thank you for standing up for what you believe in!
A Gucci spokesperson said: The show presented how society today can have the ability to confine individuality and how Gucci can be the antidote.
It was a journey from conformity to freedom and creativity. Uniforms, utilitarian clothes, such as straitjackets, were included on tRead More – Source