The Mannequin Who Protested Gucci's Straightjackets Says It Was a "Easy Gesture" In comparison with the Bravery of These With Psychological Well being Points
On multiple event, we've seen designs at Vogue Week which have triggered us to marvel, “Um, in what world did this appear to be a good suggestion?” There’s been cultural appropriation, complicated styling decisions, and, within the case of Gucci’s Spring 2020 assortment, there have been straightjackets worn by fashions who got here down the runway on a conveyer belt.
Ayesha Tan-Jones, a mannequin who was forged within the present, opted to peacefully protest whereas in entrance of the cameras. Earlier than stepping out, the mannequin wrote "Psychological well being just isn’t style" on the palms of their palms utilizing black ink, sending a robust message to each the world and one of the prestigious style homes on the market.
Gucci Spring 2020 runway protest Credit score: Victor Boyko/Getty Pictures
Afterward, Tan-Jones took to Instagram to additional clarify their determination.
“As an artist and mannequin who has skilled my very own struggled with psychological well being, in addition to relations and family members who’ve been affected by melancholy, anxiousness, bipolar, and schizophrenia, it’s hurtful and insensitive for a serious style home resembling Gucci to make use of this imagery as an idea for a fleeting style second,” they wrote.
The mannequin added that straightjackets, “are a logo of a merciless time in medication when psychological sickness was not understood and folks’s liberties had been taken away from them whereas they had been abused and tortured within the establishment.”
The second rapidly went viral, and, in response to a follow-up Instagram submit, Tan-Jones recieved loads of optimistic responses.
"I wish to use this chance to remind folks that this kind of bravery, is simply a easy gesture in comparison with the bravery that individuals with psychological well being points present on a regular basis," they stated. "To have the bravery to get away from bed, to greet the day, and to dwell their lives is an act of energy, and I wish to thanks for being right here and being YOU!"
Additionally they revealed that most of the different runway fashions "felt simply as strongly" in regards to the straightjackets that they did, and stated there was plans to donate a portion of their charges to charity, earlier than shouting out some resembling Thoughts, Mermaids UK, and Stonewall UK, amongst others.
In line with a press release from Gucci Artistic Director Alessandro Michele, the gathering wasn't meant to be disrespectful, however was really, "about humanity and uniforms. A uniform is one thing that blocks and constrains you — that makes you nameless. That makes you observe the route of journey." To him, straightjackets are "the very best sort of uniform."
There isn’t a plan to truly promote the straightjackets, as they had been simply meant to make a press release in the course of the present.
