Following the show, Tan-Jones posted to their Instagram account that they decided to peacefully protest because I believe, as many of my fellow models do, that the stigma around metal health must end. They continued, straitjackets are a symbol of a cruel time in medicine when mental health illness was not understood.
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View this post on Instagram STATEMENT for my protest of the @gucci show MENTAL HEALTH IS NOT FASHION A post shared by YaYa Bones (@ayeshatanjones) on Sep 22, 2019 at 8:23am PDT
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Since posting, Tan-Jones has received an outpour of support from her fans and fellow fashion community members. Follower @cat_p_c commented Truly amazing and brave! Thank you for standing up for so many who are not able. This is beautiful! And A-list model, Selena Forrest, declared her gratitude by writing Thank you for this!
Gucci did post to Instagram to clarify that the blank-styled clothes [were made] to represent how through fashion, power is exercised over life, to eliminate self-expression. The brand also confirmed on Instagram that the clothes were just meant to be used as a form of artistic expression and will not be sold.
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View this post on Instagram Hello I just want to say Thank You for all the support so many of you have given me since I lifted my hands in peaceful protest on the Gucci Runway show yesterday I feel very blessed to be surrounded by supportive comrades, and to know that there are so many people sharing support online for this action I want to use this opportunity to remind people that this sort of bravery, is only a simple gesture compared to the bravery that people with mental health issues show everyday. To have the bravery to get out of bed, to greet the day, and to live their lives is an act of strength, and I want to thank you for being here and being YOU ! The support people have shown to my act is more than I could imagine, so I only trust that we will share this same support to our friends, siblings, loved ones, acquaintances, internet friends or even strangers, who might be going through tough times with their Mental Health. Showing up for them may come in many forms, check in via text or DM, listen to them with patience and without judgement, offer a helping hand with household tasks like food shop, cooking or cleaning, regularly remind them how amazing and strong they are, but also that is okay feel the feels too, Lets show up for people with mental health and help end the stigma together ! Many of the other Gucci models who were in the show felt just as strongly as I did about this depiction of straightjackets, and without their support I would not have had the courage to walk out and peacefully protest. Some have chosen to donate a portion their fee, and I 100% of mine, to mental health charities, who are doing amazing work for people today! Below are tags to some amazing charities that I encourage, if you have the resources and capacity to, please donate in any way you can, and in my linktree ( in bio ) is a google doc to websites for more charities ! <3 Also, please comment any other Mental Health organisations globally you would like to support and share, as my resources are UK/US based currently blessings, love & rage - Ayesha / YaYa @projectlets @mindcharity @mermaidsgender @qtpocmentalhealth @stonewalluk @switchboardlgbt @lgbtswitchboard @papyrus_uk A post shared by YaYa Bones (@ayeshatanjones) on Sep 23, 2019 at 3:17am PDT
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This incident is the latest in a string of issues Gucci has had with balancing creative expression in todays culturally sensitive times. The most recent taking place in February, where following an apology for producing a wool balaclava sweater that resembled blackface , the brand said they would be forming an advisory council and hiring a global director for diversity and inclusion.
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View this post on Instagram Uniforms, utilitarian clothes, normative dress, including straitjackets, were included in the #GucciSS20 fashion show as the most extreme version of a uniform dictated by society and those who control it. These clothes were a statement for the fashion show and will not be sold. @alessandro_michele designed these blank-styled clothes to represent how through fashion, power is exercised over life, to eliminate self-expression. This power prescribes social norms, classifying and curbing identity. The Creative Directors antidote is seen in the Gucci Spring Summer 2020 lineup of 89 looks, he has designed a collection that conveys fashion as a way to allow people to walk through fields of possibilities, cultivate beauty, make diversity sacrosanct and celebrate the self in expression and identity. #AlessandroMichele A post shared by Gucci (@gucci) on Sep 22, 2019 at 11:25am PDT
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The real question this raises though is at what point does creative freedom end and cultural insensitivity begin? Creative minds will always need an outlet to express their ideas, but when does vision turn into an offensive act? At a time when the world demands social responsibility and accountability how do we control a creative message while still allowing full freedom of expression?