Donna Karan devoted some time to Haiti following the devastating earthquake in 2010. The designer continues her charity work in Haiti. It’s no surprise Donna Karan drew inspiration from her recent travels. Her Spring Summer 2012 collection was heavily influenced by her time in Haiti and the work of Haitian artist Philippe Dodar. What’s surprising is that the runway show only featured one black model Nyasha Matonhodze. That somehow went unnoticed.
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| The image that has caused controversy |
The ad campaign for the Spring Summer 2012 collection has
now drawn some attention, but all for the wrong reasons. Karan supposedly kept
the theme of the collection in mind and shot the ad campaign in Haiti with
model Adrianna Lima. What’s caused the controversy is not so much the model but
the two Haiti children in the background. Some have deemed it racists and
others insensitive.
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| The only model featured in the Haiti inspired runway show |
My own perception of this debate is more deep rooted than
that. I’m certain if Karan had gone for a Haitian model, African model or any
black model the reviews by the critics would have been a lot more positive. Chanel
Iman could have easily made this ad campaign spectacular. If the whole point of this
collection was to keep Haiti in mind, then surely the show and the ad campaign
could have communicated this in a way that is more appealing to all,
without making any part feel inferior.
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| Nyasha Matonhodze for Donna Karan Spring Summer 2012 |
Do we need to get into Donna’s brain to
understand that this was all for a good cause. A mention that a certain percentage
of the proceeds from this collection will go towards the Haiti charities would
have surely helped.I have nothing against the model Adrianna Lima, after all
the ad campaign was a good come back for her. My point is a black model with
the two Haitian kids in the background would have portrayed the whole Haiti
theme in a way that would have more impact don’t you agree? Maybe I am being a
little cynical, what are your views on this?
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