Spanish fashion house Balenciaga is being accused of appropriating Black culture with its latest apparel release.
Last week, the atelier dropped new swag that, seemingly, columbused the urban (Black) trend of sagging pants with boxers showing. The culprit– a pair of trompe-l’oeil sweatpants. The Italian-made goofy-looking bottoms are wide-leg fleece sweats with a “micro tartan poplin waistband with embroidered Balenciaga tag.”
The price tag for the ugly a** pants– a whopping $1,190.
Once photos of the item began circulating on social media, Black Twitter called out the brand for being racist for imitating the sagging trend.
Balenciaga releasing them jogging pants with built in boxers that make it seem like the pants are sagging is tremendously racist
— S!R3N?? (@TheBananaGiirl) September 6, 2021
You’ve got to be kidding ? Profitting and EXPLOITING blk American kids fashion? Whyte capital is vicious.
“Balenciaga’s $1,200 sagging pants are being decried as racist” here: https://t.co/qS2Nbci8sZ https://t.co/VVmIeRjvkb— Robert Winston Jail account (@JailWinston) September 7, 2021
*Those* $1200 Balenciaga pants are an abomination!
— ❤️?rheese❤️? (@rheeses_puffs2) September 7, 2021
IKYN | Balenciaga pants with the boxers sewn in to create the illusion of ‘sagging’…are retailing for about Ksh 119,000 ? #Raeonsoundcity .@SoundcityKenya
I just wanna know who thought it was a good idea to tuck them in this way ? pic.twitter.com/4WxAyV39k8
— It’s pronounced -RAY- (@Iamthe_Rae) September 7, 2021
balenciaga taking the piss now..
first the boxers attached to sagging pants and now a laundry bag ? i hate the rich https://t.co/DUJgZAyE8Q— tony⁷ (@MUVAMlLK) September 8, 2021
Balenciaga makes pants with boxers attached like you’re sagging… like she said there’s been black boys stopped for this so why… yea no
— Sexy (@zoerebelle) September 8, 2021
Trompe-l’oeil is a French term for visual illusion in art.
The website Business of Fashion reported that “Trompe l’oeil is an art technique that has been borrowed by fashion, where a designer creates an optical illusion, through a change in perspective, dimension, or placement. From haute couture to the high street’s illusion dresses, this method is a popular way of changing shape or adding layers, belts and collars. It was first popularised by the designer Elsa Schiaparelli in 1927 when she wove a collar into a sweater.”
The argument on Twitter is valid. White fashion houses have appropriated controversial looks in the Black community for decades.
And these overpriced sweatpants are just another example.
