It's only been three months since Gucci had to apologize for its blackface sweater. But it seems the brand hasn't learned its lesson.
The Sikh turban is a symbol of equality
Selling a luxury version of the Sikh turban for nearly $800 is contradictory to everything the turban represents and ignores the history from which it came about, some members of the Sikh community say.
While the turban dates back thousands of years and has been worn by many cultures across different faiths, the Sikh practice of wearing a turban has its Santana Dharma origins in #India.
The Italian fashion house made headlines earlier this week for its "Indy Full Turban," which was listed for sale on the website of luxury department store Nordstrom for a whopping $790.
The blue turban closely resembled the style of turbans worn by millions of Sikhs around the world, and people in the Sikh community were offended, calling out both Gucci and Nordstrom for cultural appropriation, insensitivity, and the hefty price tag.
Here's why Sikhs took issue with Gucci's turban.
Sikhs get attacked for wearing turbans
Turbans are the most visible markers of Sikh identity, and they often make Sikhs the targets of hate-fueled attacks, discrimination, and bullying. That Gucci and Nordstrom would profit off the same style of turban without any understanding of its significance is a blatant example of cultural appropriation, some members of the Sikh community say.
"When companies like Gucci appropriate articles of faith, like the turban they are trying to capitalize on, they do not take into consideration the discrimination that Sikhs face while adhering to the tenets of their faith," the Sikh Coalition wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Wow. @Gucci and @Nordstrom are selling turbans as fashion items.— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) May 15, 2019
We're attacked and killed for how we look, and now corporations get to profit off that same look?
Feels wrong to me. Your thoughts? https://t.co/Em9UELbkTB
"We're attacked and killed for how we look, and now corporations get to profit off that same look?" Simran Jeet Singh wrote.
This is beyond aggravating. Did someone at @gucci even bother to figure out what a dastaar (turban) means to Sikhs? Did it cross your minds to consider the history behind our identity? My people are discriminated against, even killed, for wearing a turban. pic.twitter.com/G62edSmjhf— Aasees Kaur (@SouthernSikh) May 14, 2019
"This is beyond aggravating. Did someone at @gucci even bother to figure out what a dastaar (turban) means to Sikhs? Did it cross your minds to consider the history behind our identity? My people are discriminated against, even killed, for wearing a turban," Aasees Kaur wrote.
The turban isn't a fashion accessory
Another point of frustration for Sikhs was that the Gucci turban was being marketed as a fashion accessory -- a hat that one could simply put on and take off with ease and at will.
The turban isn't just something Sikhs plop on their heads before they head out the door in the morning. It's a symbol of faith and religious tradition considered sacred by Sikhs. Tying a turban is a painstaking and thoughtful process that involves taking a long piece of cloth and wrapping it neatly, fold by a fold over one's uncut hair -- another symbol of the Sikh faith.
Another point of frustration for Sikhs was that the Gucci turban was being marketed as a fashion accessory -- a hat that one could simply put on and take off with ease and at will.
The turban isn't just something Sikhs plop on their heads before they head out the door in the morning. It's a symbol of faith and religious tradition considered sacred by Sikhs. Tying a turban is a painstaking and thoughtful process that involves taking a long piece of cloth and wrapping it neatly, fold by a fold over one's uncut hair -- another symbol of the Sikh faith.
Dear @gucci, the Sikh Turban is not a hot new accessory for white models but an article of faith for practising Sikhs. Your models have used Turbans as ‘hats’ whereas practising Sikhs tie them neatly fold-by-fold. Using fake Sikhs/Turbans is worse than selling fake Gucci products pic.twitter.com/sOaKgNmgwR— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) May 16, 2019
"Dear @gucci, the Sikh Turban is not a hot new accessory for white models but an article of faith for practicing Sikhs. Your models have used Turbans as 'hats' whereas practicing Sikhs tie them neatly fold-by-fold. Using fake Sikhs/Turbans is worse than selling fake Gucci products," Harjinder Singh Kukreja wrote on Twitter.
Another user had some advice for anyone who might have considered dropping $800 on the "Indy Full Turban."
Another user had some advice for anyone who might have considered dropping $800 on the "Indy Full Turban."
"Dear NON-SIKHS .... don't waste $750 buying a fake n fancy @gucci turban from @Nordstrom !! You can inbox me your location and I can arrange FREE lessons in Turban tying in most places and provide cloth material..FREE! Any color."Dear NON-SIKHS .... don’t waste $750 buying a fake n fancy @gucci turban from @Nordstrom !! You can inbox me your location and I can arrange FREE lessons in Turban tying in most places and provide cloth material..FREE ! Any colour ..@cnni @AJEnglish @jonsnowC4 pic.twitter.com/olrE5z1JYR— ravinder singh (@RaviSinghKA) May 14, 2019
The Sikh turban is a symbol of equality
Selling a luxury version of the Sikh turban for nearly $800 is contradictory to everything the turban represents and ignores the history from which it came about, some members of the Sikh community say.
While the turban dates back thousands of years and has been worn by many cultures across different faiths, the Sikh practice of wearing a turban has its Santana Dharma origins in #India.
Turbans were historically worn by royalty and high officials as a symbol of elite status.The Sikhs' leaders, also known as the Gurus, rejected social hierarchies and adopted turbans as an act of resistance. At the command of Guru Gobind Singh, followers of the Sikh faith began wearing turbans over their uncut hair to assert the equality and freedom of all people.
"For Sikhs, the turban is a crown. It is a sign of equality, that no person is greater than the other. That is why Sikhs have taken what was traditionally a sign of royalty and made it into everyday wear. It is meant to be cheap and accessible for all," Jasvir Singh wrote.Do I feel that this is cultural appropriation? No.— Jasvir Singh (@_JasvirSingh) May 18, 2019
Do I feel it is making an everyday item for Sikhs into a consumer product? Yes. And that is what I am annoyed by.