Jennifer Lawrence's fashion campaign celebrating Mexican heritage slammed for cultural appropriation

Dior is facing backlash following the release of its latest ad campaign intended to celebrate Mexican culture by featuring white actress Jennifer Lawrence.

In brand posts about the Dior Cruise 2019 collection, Lawrence is seen being photographed in the hills of California and heard talking about the indigenous people who motivated the brand’s designs. Although the campaign images are aesthetically pleasing, most people are displeased with Dior’s inability to secure a different face for the collection — namely, comedian Phoebe Robinson who took to her Instagram to make a statement against the brand.

“Dior and Jennifer Lawrence wanna celebrate traditional Mexican women riders thru a ‘modern lens’…by having a rich white woman named Jennifer be the face of this campaign? And like they couldn’t think of a better landscape to shoot than in California?!” the 2 Dope Queens actress wrote. “The audacity to call this s*** modern because it’s worn by a white woman is ignorant and gross, but unfortunately, not surprising.”

Other Instagram users have commented on the post to echo Robinson’s statement. “I’m extremely disappointed that yet again, major brands are using a rich white woman to promote other cultures. This is cultural appropriation not appreciation. Do better,” one person wrote. Another said, “My understanding of the word celebrate is different than Dior’s.”

However, others are praising Dior for celebrating another culture and acknowledging where the inspiration came from. Some have even pointed out that Lawrence has had a contract with the brand for years.

“The company is Dior and their brand ambassador is Jennifer Lawrence. They are honoring another culture with love and admiration! Nothing wrong with that!” someone said. “It is 2018 and people should know how fashion works. The woman is just doing her job and good on her too. Maybe if a woman with Mexican heritage was the brand ambassador for Dior then she would have represented this campaign,” wrote another.

Dior has yet to publicly respond to the controversy and didn’t immediately reply to Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

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