Marc Jacobs's Infuriating Response to Dreadlock Controversy

His decision to feature models with dreadlocks may have been questionable, but there's little debating the cluelessness that came after.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

September 17 2016 3:20 PM EST

November 19 2017 12:57 AM EST

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When out fashion designer Marc Jacobs featured models strutting down New York runways sporting multi-colored dreadlocks this week, some called it "cultural appropriation" of African-American hairstyles and culture. Instead of highlighting his choice of multi-ethnic models or discussing the inspiration for the look (trans filmmaker Lana Wachowski) or even appreciating the differing views of others, Jacobs got defensive and offensive.

Writing on Instagram, Jacobs said: "All who cry 'cultural appropriation' or whatever nonsense about any race or skin color wearing their hair in any particular style or manner -- funny how you don't criticize women of color for straightening their hair. I respect and am inspired by people and how they look. I don't see color or race -- I see people."

The worst part wasn't the end of the quote -- though it's easy for white people to say they don't see "color" or "race" -- but him bringing up women of color straightening their hair. It's strange that Jacobs didn't see the difference in the possible co-opting of minority looks and minority women being pressured to conform to white, Eurocentric beauty standards (see the winner of this year's Miss America, for example). There are real life repercussions when black women buck the mainstream trend and wear natural hair, including being fired from jobs.