Gucci, Do Better

AFTER THE STORIED BRAND PLUCKED INSPIRATION FROM ICONIC DESIGNER DAPPER DAN, WE ASK ... WHY DID YOU THINK THIS WAS OK IN THE FIRST PLACE?

- Marquita Harris

LATE THIS SPRING, storied fashion house Gucci revealed something rather unexpected: It dropped videos and images of an all-Black cast of models in its pre-fall 2017 campaign. Models danced, twirled and flipped in front of a ’70s-inspired backdrop reminiscent of iconic photographs by Malian artists Seydou Keïta and Malick Sidibé. Though many celebrated Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele’s vision, many were also put off, claiming the campaign, aptly named “Soul Scene,” felt like a forced gimmick during a period in which we crave authenticity above all. The project walked a fine line between both arguments.

Nearly two months later, in a move that perhaps reflected the brand was a tad too certain of its own position within the fashion hierarchy, Gucci crossed the line. After images of its 2018 Gucci cruise collection began popping up across the internet, one image stood out. In the photo, a Black model appeared in a logo-clad bomber jacket with ballooned sleeves. It was identical to the iconic jacket worn by ’80s Olympian Diane Dixon created by legendary designer Daniel Day, better known as Dapper Dan.