Forever 21 used a white model to wear a Black Panther jumper and people are pissed
19 December 2018, 16:21 | Updated: 19 December 2018, 17:28
The brand have now apologised.
People have been dragging Forever 21 for putting a Black Panther jumper on a white model. The Marvel movie dropped earlier this year and with a majority black cast, it was the first of its kind and insanely popular.
Forever 21 tweeted a photo of a blue-eyed, blonde-haired model wearing the Wakanda Forever Fair Isle Sweater on Twitter and captioned it: "Wakanda Forever. Get the sweater here."
Now this is probably the biggest oversight of the century. But, really? Of course, people of other races can enjoy Black Panther – it was so, so good – and wear the merch but to not feature a black model just seems a little stupid.
Of course, people responded the only way the internet would, with memes.
.@forever21 wakanda forever! pic.twitter.com/sb1QU2Ks7C
— Andy Downing (@andydowning33) December 18, 2018
You had one job @Forever21 pic.twitter.com/0A3WWbB8m1
— Wheelchair Jerry (@BostonJerry) December 18, 2018
Hey @Forever21, In What Universe Did You Think It Was Ok To Feature A White Model In Wakanda Gear? Granted, Chances Are You Knew It Wasn't Ok, But Still. As A Former #21Men Brand Specialist For The Company, I'm Highly Offended.
— Mark-Paul (@WhoIsMarkPaul) December 18, 2018
Wakanda bullshit is this, @Forever21? pic.twitter.com/S4ZVryPXWB
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) December 18, 2018
Not even Wakanda can escape gentrification. @blavity @blackpanther @urbanintellectuals @forever21 #forever21 pic.twitter.com/XBwJyyUCk2
— Jesuorobo's Thoughts (@Jesuorobo) December 18, 2018
Wow Forever 21 is tone deaf af. Colonizers aren't praised in Wakanda. Try again.
— Iyesha Riley (@Iyeshalovette) December 18, 2018
Forever 21 knows exactly what they're doing with that ghost in the shell man in the african kitty sweater and here ya'll go given them the attention they want
— cultured butter bae (@jilleeann_) December 18, 2018
Since the backlash, Forever 21 have deleted the tweet and they now display the jumper without a model wearing it. They have also released a statement.
"Forever 21 takes feedback on our products and marketing extremely seriously," the brand told TMZ. "We celebrate all superheroes with many different models of various ethnicities and apologise if the photo in question was offensive in any way."
