Alex Wek. Giambattista Valli. Blackface.

So, I saw somethingn rather appalling while making my regular rounds at style.com this weekend. Giambattista Valli is creative Director of the spring 2011 ready to wear collection of Moncler Gamme Rouge which features model Alex Wek. This is not the cause of alarm, of course, since he’s an incredibly brilliant designer and one of my favs.  

I then come across a snapshot from the runway of model Alex Wek, who is already a very lovely dark skinned beauty is painted ‘blacker’ and wearing bright red exaggerated lipstick also, wearing a large african inspired head wrap. 

For those of you who still don’t see where I’m headed with this, let me further explain.

There were one once a series of theatrical shows know as the Minstrel Shows or Blackface. These shows were gained popularity in the mid 18th to 19th centuries and promoted American racist stereotypes of African Americans. 

White blackface performers in the past would use burnt cork, greasepaint or shoe polish to darken their skin and exaggerate their lips using bright red lipstick, and often wearing woolly wigs, gloves, tailcoats and tattered clothing. Black people eventually also partook in this. 

Blackface minstrels played a very large role in both in affirming and cementing racist images and attitudes towards blacks, in particular African Americans worldwide.

Needless to say, you can understand why I was discusted with Mr. Valli, AND MODEL ALEX WEK. Two individuals for whom I had great respect. They are both either incredibly stupid, or in favor of propagating racism. Bravo guys, BRAH VO.