In ELLE UK’s own words, as quoted by IndianCountryNews (the copy has since been revised): “We persuaded ELLE Style Award winner Pharrell to trade his Vivienne Westwood mountie hat for a native American feather headdress in his best ever shoot.”
Best ever? Nope, not even close. The whole Internet has spent years begging the fashion industry to pleeeasse stop treating feathered headdresses like ‘it’ accessories, but the message still hasn’t gotten through. This time, though, the outrage has a hashtag: #NotHappy, riffing on the performer’s popular hit, “Happy.” The fashion industry loves hashtags; maybe now they’ll #finally take notice?
Some of the Tweets:
Playing or Trending on Indian Culture is so disrespectful #ShowSomeDignity #pharellwilliams #Pharrell #NotHappy #Stop pic.twitter.com/3qJZoYuhT8
— Pamela J. Peters (@NavajoFilmmaker) June 4, 2014
Stop arguing about Pharrell being Native or not, you DO NOT wear a headdress for fashion. #NotHappy #Dishonor http://t.co/yAv1A1foKo
— Support S.Dakota Rez (@SupportSDrez) June 4, 2014
Pharrell – you know how cultural appropriation makes me feel? #NotHappy pic.twitter.com/YkZtP9Pu2B
— bossy (@BhasChat) June 4, 2014
Seriously? A whole magazine staff & @pharrell‘s handlers thought this was a good idea? http://t.co/mtDAd578gI via @IndianCountry #nothappy
— Quinn MacDonald (@quinnmacdonald) June 4, 2014
To his credit, Pharrell issued a short and sweet apology early this morning through his publicist via the Washington Post: “I respect and honor every kind of race, background and culture. I am genuinely sorry.”
Related:
- Alessandra Ambrosio Gets ‘Inspired’ for Coachella with a Native American Headdress
- Pharrell’s New Art Show Aims to Celebrate Women, Includes Graphic Work by Terry Richardson
- Debating the Native American Headdress at Chanel’s Dallas-Inspired Show (Forum Buzz)
- Victoria’s Secret to Pull Karlie Kloss’ Native American Headdress Look For Broadcast
