Is Rodarte a lightning rod for controversy or what!?
Less than two years after causing a stink with their Juarez makeup collection, a UN expert is calling out the Mulleavy sisters on their latest collection.
According to Megan Davis, the head of the University of New South Wales├óΓé¼Γäó Indigenous Law Centre and member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Kate and Laura’s A/W 2012 is offensive to Australia’s Aboriginal culture.
Davis, a native Australian, explains:
“It is completely insensitive to Aboriginal art and spirituality and land and how they are inextricably linked. The sisters admit they have never been to Australia, so they must have had ├óΓé¼╦£inspiration├óΓé¼Γäó from books, images, web or Aboriginal art, including 60,000 year old rock art…We know that these particular expressions, the rock art and dot paintings, are part of a religious Aboriginal system of knowledge and that there are cultural responsibilities for the protection and use of those images as well as custodial obligations.
As an Aboriginal lawyer I found the designs offensive. What I find more offensive is that one doesn├óΓé¼Γäót enter into a cultural protocol with a particular [indigenous] group, particularly when you keep in mind the abject poverty that a lot of these groups live in in mostly remote Australia.”
After hearing Megan Davis’ comments, Rodarte quickly issued a statement to try and squash all the dramz:
“We deeply respect and admire the work of other artists. Through the appropriate channels, we licensed the Aboriginal artwork that influenced prints in our collection. As a result, the artists will share in proceeds of the pieces inspired by their work.”
So they’ve thrown some money at them, but does that make it OK?
What do U think??? Sound off in the comments (below)!
[Image via AP Images.]