Not just the United States of America, the death of George Floyd has united the citizens as well as the fashion fraternity across the globe to stand against deep-rooted racism. Many international high-end brands have pledged their contributions towards the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and other charitable organizations that support similar causes.
However, there were some high-end international brands faced flak for their racist actions in the past. Many models and stylists called out such labels that have posted solidarity messages but refused to act on it prior.
Black-trans model Munroe Bergdorf recently made headlines after she called out L’Oréal Paris’ anti-racist post ‘Speaking out is Worth It.’ Three years ago in 2017, Bergdorf was fired from the brand for speaking up publically against racism and white supremacy. Accusing the brand of capitalizing the BLM movement, Munroe said that speaking out can’t only be “worth it” when you’re white. “Black Lives Matter is a movement for the people, by the people. It is not here to be co-opted for capital gain by companies who have no intention of actually having difficult conversations regarding white supremacy, police brutality, colonialism, and systemic racism. Speaking out can’t only be “worth it” when you’re white. Black voices matter,” read an excerpt from her post.
Fashion’s anonymous watchdog Diet Prada, lent its support to the model and called out the brand on its social media handle.
Few days post this fiasco, the brand’s President, Delphine Viguier, conveyed the message through its social media page that read, “I had an honest, transparent, and vulnerable conversation with Munroe Bergdorf. We listened to each other and shared our feelings and perspectives on the situation with open hearts and minds.” She said that she regretted the lack of dialogue and support the company showed Munroe around the time of the termination and should have done more to create a conversation for change as they are now doing.
Viguier mentioned that L’Oréal is creating a U.K. diversity and inclusion advisory board of people from within and outside the company, and the brand has invited Bergdorf to come onboard.
Looks like after a lot of flak, backlashes, and controversies, Munroe and L’Oréal are off to a fresh start. Bergdorf released a statement, accepting the offer and joining the brand’s U.K. diversity and inclusion advisory board on her social media page. She also mentioned that L’Oréal plans to make a 25,000 euro charitable donation to Mermaids, which supports gender-variant and transgender youth in the U.K., as well as 25,000 euros to U.K. Black Pride to extend support against racism for all communities. She thanked everyone for having her back over the past three years and is looking forward to the new and positive beginnings that this opportunity has to offer.
(Source- Instagram)
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