9 Sikh Models Gucci Could Have Used Instead of the Ones They Chose

The newest mainstream fashion label to find itself under fire is Gucci for their use of turbans as a fashion accessory on white models during their most recent show for Milan Fashion Week.

The Sikh dastaar, commonly referred to as a pagh or turban, is an important part of our culture. It is our crown that represents our faith, courage, and honour. It is not a fashion accessory. It is an important part of our identity.

Sikhs have been discriminated against for their turbans for years, especially, in a world after 9/11. We wear a pagh and get called a terrorist, and a luxury fashion brand puts it on a white model in a runway show and suddenly it’s trendy?

Really, Gucci? I expected better. We expect better.

Canadian actor, Avan Jogia called out Gucci for their actions in a tweet, asking them if they couldn’t find a brown model.

Yo.. @gucci … I mess with you guys… but this isn't a good look for you… could you not find a brown model? pic.twitter.com/INqxwrfB0t

— Avan Jogia (@AvanJogia) February 22, 2018

And our friend Harjas Singh from Canada also spoke about Gucci’s horrendous choice and it definitely made a statement.

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Due to unforseen circumstances, I unfortunately had to take down my last post however the message still stands .. @Gucci, what's up? _______ Dear @Gucci, you wanna use our style, But not us ? You wanna use own crown, but not us ? Next time you want do a fashion show, hit us up ! We have an whole army of singh models. Use any of us. Brands need to stop being so stupid and “unique” just for awareness during shows. You don’t need to use a white male model and put on a pagh (turban) on him like it’s a prop. It’s unnecessary, rude and straight up disrespectful to us and our community. So next time you’re thinking of using a pagh on a fashion show, find a Singh or even a Kaur. We will come looking sexy as hell with our paghs on… @iamsapra for starting the movement #guccigang?? #StyledByHarj #turban #model #sikhstyle #turbanandbeard #gq #gqindia #gqstyle #singhsdoingthings #floral

A post shared by Harjas Singh (@styledbyharj) on Feb 23, 2018 at 7:19am PST

• Waris Ahluwalia: @HouseofWaris

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This is Moti. A rescue from the streets of Jaipur. Om Mani Padme Hung. For the benefit of all sentient beings, may they be liberated from samsara. Compassion, the second of the Four Immeasurables in Buddhism, is the wish for all sentient beings to be free from suffering. We are not free until we are all free. Suffering for one is suffering for all kind. #travelstomyelephant #lovenotfear #elbanditos

A post shared by Waris Ahluwalia (@houseofwaris) on Nov 9, 2017 at 6:20am PST

• Harjas Singh: @styledbyHarj

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Taking a pause in my secret garden to stop and take it all in. Photography – @le_jit / @tmcimages #StyledByHarj #gentlemenstyle #stylist #floral #custom #doublebreast

A post shared by Harjas Singh (@styledbyharj) on Jan 27, 2018 at 3:42pm PST

• Vish Singh: @IamVish_

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Basic – #fashion #hustle #grind #focus #determination #humbled #blessed #runway #runwaymodel #fashionblogger #fashionweek #fashions #menswear #mensfashion #beard #singhstreetstyle #turbanandbeard #sikh #singh #singhsdoingthings #desi #brownie #garbru #india #gq #gqindia #vogue #vogueindia

A post shared by Vish Singh (@iamvish_) on Feb 18, 2018 at 11:51am PST

• Jujhar Dhanjal: @jujharsdhanjal

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Head Shot @evausuave

A post shared by Jujhar Singh Dhanjal (@jujharsdhanjal) on Nov 27, 2016 at 5:07am PST

• Onkar Dhindsa: @osdhindsa

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Rise and shine people! It’s the weekend. For majority of you, it’s YOU time. Noone to answer to today except yourself. When there isn’t the pressure of being held accountable by an exterior force, we tend to play small and let ourselves off easy. But take this time to do something for yourself, make some adjustments to tackle those goals you made! Last year, I struggled a lot with wanting to make it all happen at once. So I’m working on breaking my vision down into attainable goals that I can make small changes toward each and everyday. Currently working on not looking at things as something I have to do or need to do, but that I WANT to do. Because when things pile up and I feel overwhelmed, everything becomes a task to me and that’s no way to enjoy the journey. Yard by yard, life is hard, inch by inch, life’s a cinch! So get out there and enjoy your much awaited weekends! And btw, that’s a traditional Punjabi outfit I’m wearing, called a Kurta Pajama– love the colors on this one ??????! @jaygoestohollywood

A post shared by Onkar | Healer | Warrior (@osdhindsa) on Jan 13, 2018 at 6:52am PST

And don’t worry, we have plenty of boss women on this list as well!

• Ishprit: @ishprit

 

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Got the #iphonesxmax first time having the newest model out in a minute & feelin beaucoup bougie cute ?????

A post shared by I S H P R ? T ??? (@ishprit) on Dec 2, 2018 at 9:13pm PST

• Ishaan: @kaurmoments

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me walkin to some place tropical ? Wearing this beautifully designed Camryn Kimono by @kyraandvir ? . . #kyraandvir #kimono #summerready #iliketrains #blogger #sikhblogger #kaurblogger #fashion #lifestyle #designers #fashiondesigner #kaur #sikh #graffiti #art #vsco

A post shared by ? i s h a a n c h a h a l (@kaurmoments) on Feb 8, 2018 at 7:51am PST

• Karan Kaur: @stylewithkaur

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~ summer weddings ?

A post shared by K A R A N K A U R (@stylewithkaur) on Feb 12, 2018 at 3:24pm PST

• Harnaam Kaur: @harnaamkaur

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Sometimes we can become the victims of someone else’s weakness. Think about it….how many times have you been in a situation where you have been hurt because of someone else? I’m sure a lot of us have. The most unfortunate thing that we can do is not forgive. Sometimes the act of forgiveness can be very hard, especially when the abuse or hardship was horrendous. Forgiving someone can be extremely humbling, it takes for you to delve deep within your heart, to reach for the compassion that you hold, and then to place it in the hand of your oppressor. Through understanding, we allow ourselves to forgive people. When we understand someone, we realise that in some way shape or form, we are all very similar; we all have weaknesses. If we all wish to be forgiven and understood, we surely must forgive and understand ?? ?- @catalinababs

A post shared by Harnaam Kaur (@harnaamkaur) on Oct 23, 2017 at 11:38am PDT

Our turbans are an important part of our Sikh culture and taking them and putting them on a white model isn’t respect, it’s cultural appropriation. So, next time, Gucci, if you want to showcase our culture, showcase our talent too.