Givenchy Condemned For Putting Graphic, ‘Offensive’ Noose Necklace On Fashion Week Runway

Givenchy became the subject of a storm of condemnation in the industry on Sunday, Oct. 3, after a seemingly noose-inspired necklace that was draped around a model’s neck barreled down the Paris Fashion Week runway and featured on their spring/summer collection.

The Givenchy fashion show, which highlighted their spring/summer collection for men’s and women’s wear, was criticized for having a necklace on a model's neck that resembled a broken noose, according to the Guardian.

Many have criticized the design, with fashion industry watchdog Diet Prada comparing the noose necklace to a previous design by Burberry in 2019 that featured a “noose hoodie” where a noose was hanging around the piece's neck, according to the Daily Beast.

“You’d think the industry would’ve learned not to put things that resemble nooses around a model’s neck … really makes you wonder how no one noticed, but alas … history repeats itself,” the blogger said in a Facebook post.

Its creative director, Matthew M. Williams, is being criticized by the public for the tasteless and insensitive accessory that was added to the outfit, with Angela McRobbie from Goldsmiths, the University of London talking about the thoughtlessness of the imagery.

“For me, the questions that are relevant but never gets answered are: who are the decision-makers behind the scenes? Who signs off blatantly offensive items like this? When there is a reaction, do they get fired?” she said.

“Is there a cynical agenda to shock and then rapidly withdraw the offending piece for the media attention it accrues?” she continued, expressing frustration at the lack of coherence that the accessory represented.

Givenchy has not commented on the issue as of this time.

Liza Roxbury from Papyrus has also reprimanded the fashion house for the insensitivity of the accessory, saying that, to many people, it can be triggering material that can have tragic consequences to the viewer.

“Those who have a personal connection to suicide, whether this be their own experiences or having lost a loved one, can be triggered by such imagery and brands have a responsibility to ensure that they are not causing harm to their audience,” she said.