Dolce and Gabbana's Spring 2013 runway show included something quite unexpected, black figurine faces on earrings and dresses worn by their models as they strutted down the runway (clears throat). Now, were the earrings hot? I think so. Will some find this collection offensive? More than likely. I think those who do find the collection offensive will have a basis, due to the origin of the figurines, which does not come from the most positive place. According to MadameNoire.com, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, indicated this collection was inspired by their homeland, Sicily.
Sicily was inhabited by Black Moors, black Africans typically from North Africa, who were said to have invaded Sicily. Yet, the original Blackamoore statues depicted Africans as decorated slaves/servants. This is questionable. I can't fathom a people, who have the capability to invade a country being slaves/servants. Moreover, if they actually invaded Sicily why were they depicted as slaves/servants? As you can see, I am somewhat confused about who the Black Moors were and, unfortunately, accurate information on this topic is limited. However, I will be researching this topic more extensively.
Nevertheless, while I do think Dolce and Gabbana walked a very fine line with the controversial earrings, I personally am not offended. Apparently, the statues are common in Sicily and as Huffingtonpost.com so eloquently stated, perhaps Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were simply taken by the beauty of the ebony figurines and meant no harm. Additionally, to their credit, black African heads were accompanied by Asian head earrings as well. The figurines were of Asian men with their heads wrapped, which is a typical characteristic of the Blackamoore statues. Strange.
Source: Madame Noire, Huffington Post
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