FASHION, as an industry is no stranger to the rape culture and most industry experts, will admit to that.
Yet despite such allegations being rife against some internationally celebrated fashion moguls, the public’s support of them seem unwavering.
This causes me to question the ethics of consumers – should we not be more critical when choosing who to support?
Terry Richardson, who’s worked with Conde Nast and other famous brands like Supreme, has been subject to sexual assault allegations.
I believe that he has been rightfully been shunned from the industry at large, although he denied the allegations and labeled it “old stories he had previously been addressed.”
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The late Karl Lagerfeld also had very some worrying statements regarding the #MeToo movement in Hollywood.
According to Teen Vogue, Lagerfeld defended stylist, Karl Templer, who was accused of pulling down models’ underwear without their consent – the former creative director at Chanel said: “If you don’t want your pants pulled about, don’t become a model.”
I find this a very disturbing and dismissive statement coming from someone who was regarded as an industry front runner for decades!
Does fashion industry and, most importantly, its consumers take rape culture seriously?
Even though everyone who is accused of having raped will not necessarily be guilty, I feel that we should take such allegations more seriously and allow it to influence our ethical approach to fashion.
In the local fashion circles we have Stilo Magolide who’s represented brands like Vans and was a part of the creative street-wear group, Boyz N Bucks.
In 2017, his girlfriend alleged that he had assaulted her. “This is untrue because I did not assault her, nor have I ever lifted my hand to her or any other women,” he said in a statement published on MTV’s website.
These are serious allegations, but he is still welcomed in South Africa’s street-wear circles. Similarly, Okmalumkoolkat has a history of sexual assault, yet loyal fans and street-wear enthusiasts still flocked Musgrave Centre recently to purchase his ‘Spovingtons’ merchandise under his design and entertainment group, Sjambok Studios.
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We need to ask where we will draw the line when it comes to calling out abusers and not supporting rape culture?
Unfortunately, abusers and alleged abusers in the industry still receive plenty of support and if we and the youth want to dismantle rape culture, surely we shouldn’t be spending our savings on brands and people that uphold rape culture?
The fact that convicted sex offenders still receive the public’s support worries me especially.
Ian Connor and Asap Bari both have a ridiculous amount of sexual assault allegations against them, yet they both have a million and half a million followers on Instagram, respectively.
Asap Bari pleaded guilty to a sexual assault charge but yet we still see young people celebrate and proudly wear his brand, Vlone.
As young consumers, we should definitely have more integrity when it comes to the brands we choose to associate ourselves and spend our money on.
My friend, Michiel Phillips, a student of graphic design at DUT who has also worked in the fashion industry as a model wants people to speak about rape culture in fashion.
“A lot of people are accused and charged for sexual assault and I feel the industry sweeps it under the carpet in order to protect reputations,” said Phillips. He also feels that designers like Bari and Connor are influencers of youth culture and because of that we should take the allegations against them seriously.
“Ian Connor has 21 open sexual assault allegations against him and I feel like these kids purchasing these items and are actively giving money towards rape culture,” he said. Connor denied allegations and was never arrested or charged.
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