Dolce & Gabbana has come under fire for promoting a pair of sneakers with a controversial slogan. Designer Stefano Gabbana, who runs the Italian luxury fashion house alongside Domenico Dolce, recently posted a photo of the label's new fall/winter 2017 sneakers on Instagram. The style was created in partnership with Japanese illustrator Jumpei Kawamura, and features a number of scribbles and phrases, including the line, "I'm Thin & Gorgeous".
Controversial or cool? The slogan-emblazoned sneakers sparked backlash when posted on Instagram
Accordingly, the wording hasn't gone down well with users on social media, with many taking to the platform to express their thoughts. "You don't think it's a little (irresponsible) to push a message of "Thin and gorgeous?" wrote one user on Gabbana's Instagram page, adding, "I hope this will be followed by a message of inclusion of all bodies?" While another user posted: "You don't have to be thin to be Gorgeous!"
Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce at the British Vogue Centenary Gala Dinner in Kensington
However, Gabbana did not appear to be concerned by the reaction to the design and fired back at those who shared negative comments. "Darling you prefer to be fat and full of cholesterol??? I think u have a problem (sic)," the designer replied to one commenter who disagreed with the slogan, before labelling other users an "idiot" and "stupid." Aside from Gabbana's posts on his own Instagram page, representatives for the Milan-based label have yet to respond to the online backlash.
The fashion house is famed for its jaw-droppingly beautiful designs
Gabbana is no stranger to controversy, having recently received criticism for defending his decision to dress U.S. First Lady Melania Trump for her official White House portrait, and body shaming Lady Gaga for the stomach-baring Atelier Versace ensemble she wore at the 2017 Super Bowl halftime show. Dolce and Gabbana have also made headlines in the past for naming a pair of shoes "slave sandals" and criticising the process of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) as well as surrogacy.