Top 10 Most Outrageous Fashion Scandals

In November 2022, Balenciaga launched two ad campaigns that stirred a huge controversy and led to a PR disaster for the luxury fashion brand. The first featured children holding teddy bear handbags accessorized with leather straps, chains and fishnet tops. This imagery sparked immediate criticism for seemingly associating children with bondage paraphernalia. Shortly after, a second ad surfaced, featuring documents from a Supreme Court case concerning inappropriate material involving youth. This campaign also included a book by an artist named Michaël Borremans, known for his controversial paintings depicting children in often graphic scenarios. In response to the backlash, Balenciaga issued multiple public apologies and initially sued the production company behind the second campaign, although the lawsuit was later dropped.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the renowned fashion designers behind Italian brand Dolce & Gabbana, found themselves at the center of controversy back in 2015. Despite both being gay and a former couple themselves, the pair stated in an interview with Italian magazine Panorama that they opposed adoption by same-sex couples. They also condemned in vitro fertilization and surrogacy, describing children born via IVF as “synthetic.” Their remarks sparked widespread criticism from the LGBTQ+ community, particularly from singer Elton John, who called for a boycott of the brand. Many others criticized the duo for perpetuating outdated stereotypes and discrimination against same-sex families. The designers later clarified that while they respected other people’s choices, they simply held a different opinion.

Every year, Vans hosts the Custom Culture competition, inviting participants to submit custom designs for a chance to win $25,000 and see their sneakers produced. In 2019, one entry depicted a red bauhinia, the flower on Hong Kong’s flag, alongside protesters wearing gas masks, goggles and hard hats. The design was a nod to the 2014 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. However, as this entry rose to the top of the online poll determining the winner, Vans suddenly removed it from consideration. This move triggered outrage from social media users and led to calls for a boycott of the brand. The skateboarding company later defended its decision, stating that it had “never taken a political position.”

For years, during New York Fashion Week, designer Marc Jacobs held his shows at the highly sought-after 69th Regiment Armory located at 26th and Lexington Avenue. Jacobs’ ability to consistently secure the venue puzzled many, until the truth emerged in 2008. It was revealed that the designer’s company, Marc Jacobs International, had been bribing the building’s superintendent, James Jackson. Between 2000 and 2007, the company paid Jackson $35,000 in cash and goods in exchange for preferential treatment. Jackson, who also extorted payments from other clients, eventually pleaded guilty to grand larceny and bribery. Although he was not criminally indicted, Jacobs paid a $1 million settlement to the state for his role in the scandal.

Some topics are just too sensitive to be made into fashion statements. New York-based brand Bstroy learned that the hard way in 2019 after they sent models down the runway wearing sweatshirts with names like Columbine, Sandy Hook and Stoneman Douglas. If those names ring a bell, that’s because they were the sites of some of the deadliest school shootings in the U.S. Even worse, the sweatshirts were intentionally distressed to look like they were ridden with bullet holes. Needless to say, this was deemed highly insensitive, particularly by the victims’ families and survivors of these tragic events. Bstroy’s founders, Brick Owens and Dieter Grams, were criticized over the designs, but defended the work as mere social commentary.

In 2011, famed fashion designer John Galliano, known for his work at Givenchy and Dior, faced severe backlash after a disturbing video of him surfaced. The video captured Galliano making a series of deeply troubling antisemitic statements toward a group of Jewish women outside a bar in Paris. This revelation shocked the fashion world, leading to his swift dismissal from his position as creative director at Dior, a role he had held for 14 years. Not only was Galliano condemned by industry figures and the public alike, he was also charged to court, as the expression of antisemitic ideas is illegal in France. Galliano was subsequently convicted and handed a suspended fine of €6,000.

In February 2019, Gucci launched a line of turtleneck sweaters that reached up to the mouth and featured a cutout with oversized red lips. Shortly after the product appeared on the company’s website, many people noticed it bore a striking resemblance to blackface. As a result, Gucci was slammed on social media, with many criticizing the design as racially insensitive, especially given its release during Black History Month. Gucci quickly removed the product from its website, and Alessandro Michele, who was the label’s creative director at the time, issued a public apology. Following the scandal, the fashion house implemented a diversity and inclusion strategy, and appointed Renée Tirado as the global head of that initiative.

Yet another significant fashion blunder that had us thinking, “Was this approved by a child?” Also in February 2019, British label Burberry sparked controversy when its models appeared on the runway wearing hoodies with drawstrings tied to resemble nooses around their necks. The first major criticism came from Burberry model Liz Kennedy, who had walked the runway wearing one of the hoodies. Kennedy condemned the fashion house for trivializing mental health issues and evoking disturbing imagery of lynching. Burberry wouldn’t be the only brand to be called out by its model. In September of the same year, runway model Ayesha Tan-Jones protested at a Gucci show for the use of straitjackets in the company’s spring/summer 2020 collection.

In the mid-2000s, Anand Jon Alexander was a rising star in the fashion industry. He had styled big names like Janet Jackson and Paris Hilton, and even made it into Newsweek’s “Who’s Next in 2007?” However, his promising career took a dark turn in March 2007 when he was arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual assault against aspiring models, some of whom were minors. These ladies alleged that Alexander lured them to his house with promises of modeling opportunities, only to assault them. Following a highly publicized trial, Alexander was convicted on numerous criminal counts and sentenced to 59 years to life in prison. Despite this conviction, Alexander maintains his innocence and continues to fight for his release.

They are two of the world’s most renowned fashion photographers, having worked with major brands like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Versace and Chanel, just to name a few. But in 2018, Mario Testino and Bruce Weber faced troubling allegations of sexual harassment and assault. These allegations, which were detailed in investigative reports by The New York Times, were brought forward by several male models and assistants who had worked with the photographers. The scandal sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting media giant Condé Nast to suspend its collaborations with them. Both Testino and Weber denied the allegations. Weber was even sued by some of his accusers, although the cases were later dismissed or settled without him admitting any guilt.