Gucci "Deeply Apologizes" for Sweater Resembling Blackface

Luxury fashion house Gucci is under fire for creating and promoting a sweater that social media users said resembles blackface because of its design.

Gucci has apologized and discontinued selling a sweater after criticism that it resembles blackface https://t.co/hJen2TRhNv pic.twitter.com/W8xtHsqefE

— CNN International (@cnni) February 7, 2019

In a Twitter post Wednesday, the Italian brand said it “deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper.”

“We can confirm that the item has been immediately removed from our online store and all physical stores,” Gucci said in a statement on Wednesday. “We are fully committed to increasing diversity throughout our organization and turning this incident into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team and beyond.”

Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper.
We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.
Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/P2iXL9uOhs

— gucci (@gucci) February 7, 2019

The $890 sweater had been slammed on social media, with Twitter users saying it resembled blackface and expressing emotions ranging from exasperation to outrage.

“Today Gucci released their Balaclava Knit Top. Sigh. Really Gucci? Really?” one user shared.

The top, which has been removed from Gucci’s site, is a black turtleneck that pulls up over the lower half of the wearer’s face, complete with a cutout of oversized red lips. It’s the second time in just over a year that a powerhouse fashion brand has been slammed by critics for racial insensitivity. Prada issued an apology for a similar lapse in judgement in December 2018.