Joan Smalls, Caroline Trentini & Fei Fei Sun Are Chic Eskimos for DSquared2
Joan Smalls, Caroline Trentini, and Fei Fei Sun aren’t dancing with wolves, they’re modeling with them. Wearing massive fur coats and tribal patterned apparel, the three top models are the faces of DSqaured2’s Fall/Winter 2015 campaign shot by photography duo Mert and Marcus. Together, the trio is the ultimate wolf pack—sporting severe stares, middle parts, and heavy coats with fur-trimmed hoods that are stereotypically Eskimo-like, or evoke the indigenous culture, at least.
So this begs the questions: Have these images landed the Canadian brand in murky cultural appropriation waters? (Or, in this case, on slippery Alaskan ice?) Joan Smalls doesn’t seem to think so. The Puerto Rican model took to her Instagram and shared the picture with the caption, “BaDa Boom!” But others aren’t applauding DSqaured2. “Culture is not a costume; this is cultural appropriation,” one Instagram user boldly noted.
But recreating traditional wear in the name of style isn’t anything new for fashion brands…and it’s especially not out of the ordinary for DSqaured2. The brand, led by twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten, came under fire for the Fall 2015 ready-to-wear collection that was replete with leather, beading, feather, and fringe reminiscent of Native American fashions.
It’s true that drawing the line between what is offensive versus creative is no easy task. But frankly, there’s nothing blatantly insensitive about DSquared2’s Fall/Winter campaign. Now if they had pushed it one makeup brush more…well, this story would end differently.
More from Yahoo Style:
Ciara Lands Her First Major Fashion Campaign for Roberto Cavalli
Cher, Katy Perry & Willow Smith Take Over the Fall Campaigns
Gisele Bündchen Wears a Pelvage Dress to Sell Stuart Weitzman Boots
