Words by Youdlyn Moreau
Fashion designer Stella McCartney‘s Spring/Summer 2018 collection featured a myriad of vibrant and colorful Ankara patterns which many were displeased with. Influencers such as Director and photographer Amarachi Nwosu expressed via Twitter that there was a lack of representation of Black models, and others deemed the collection as cultural appropriation.
Many Twitter users used comic relief to ease the tension of the outrage, comparing McCartney’s line to their “grandmother’s dress when she cooks” or “basic African designs”. While the clothing line had been offensive to many, very few on Twitter had opposing thoughts about the SS18, appreciating McCartney for using African culture for inspiration. Nevertheless, Stella McCartney’s lime continues to raise eyebrows for her collection in the show and has yet to make any comments regarding the controversial patterns.
