Philipp Plein’s Alice in Ghetto Land Milan Fashion Week Show Causes Uproar

Designer Philipp Plein rankled more than a few fashionable onlookers with his latest show, titled #AliceinGhettoLand. In typical Plein fashion, the show was pure spectacle, featuring musical acts by Fergie and Fat Joe, confetti, and a loud hip hop soundtrack. An oversized garden gnome oversaw the festivities with the word ‘Pimp’ emblazoned across his chest. Models in short shorts stomped atop thigh high cut out boots and embellished booties, sporting oodles of opulent accessories, from nameplate necklaces to gold chains and door knocker earrings. The rap references were copious, from one model carrying a bejeweled boombox to yet another bopping around in gilded sneakers and a baseball cap.

Far from wearable and chock full of kitsch, the most offensive aspect of the show might have been its lack of originality. We saw all of this 10 years ago at Baby Phat.
But what most have taken umbrage to is Plein’s glamorization and almost ridicule of the concept of ‘ghetto’ and what that means.
The almost constant narrative of cultural appropriation in the fashion industry is more than obvious here. When the culture of origin does something it’s frowned upon and has a negative connotation. But when European designers embrace it, it’s fun! Cutting edge! And entertaining!
Fashion Bomb readers expressed their distaste. @Moultrieee wrote “GHETTO LandJ? This designer’s LACK OF CREATIVITY and privileged views are making my skin crawl. The fact that people supported this and didn’t see a problem. The association with certain items and the word GHETTO is even more disrespectful to my culture. This is a problem for me.” @Dan-Ieb continued, “Non black people and this ‘ghetto’ fetishization. The obligatory big earrings and gold chains in 2016? [This is] cliché and racist.”

When I first observed the show, I thought: ghetto doesn’t necessarily mean black, so what me worry? But the true insult lies in Plein’s disrespect and skewed interpretation of hip hop culture, an intrinsically black art form, and labeling it ghetto.

Bye, Philipp Plein.
What do you think?