Twitter Is Dragging Designer Philipp Plein's "Distasteful" Kobe Bryant Tribute
During Milan Fashion Week, designer Philipp Plein held a Kobe Bryant tribute on the runway, which many are calling distasteful and disrespectful.
Models wore jerseys with Bryant's number on them, which are now selling on Plein's site for thousands of dollars.
According to the designer, proceeds will be donated to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, but it was not made clear how much from each sale will be contributed.
Designer Philipp Plein showcased his fall/winter '20 runway show in Milan last Friday featuring his usual over-the-top fashion, including leopard print gowns, neon hoodies, and sheer, lace minis. But also included in the mix were models who wore purple and yellow jerseys featuring the late Kobe Bryant's number "24" and the word "Plein" written above it.
It's been almost a month since Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others tragically died in a helicopter crash is Los Angeles on their way to a basketball game. (There is a public memorial for them scheduled today at the Staples Center.)
Plein's runway show featured gold helicopters in the background, which Twitter immediately called out as "distasteful."
distasteful, tacky & material waste. philipp plein who has so long been making clothing that adds nothing but clutter to the fashion landscape has decided to include gold helicopters along his crystal basketball jerseys after the passing of kobe & gianna bryant. its disgusting. pic.twitter.com/zvFq4oU5gG
— ꪑꫀꪀᦔꫀꪶ (@gaultiercouture) February 23, 2020
this is disappointing, distasteful, and disrespectful .Philipp Plein making a “tribute” to Kobe Bryant by featuring a gold helicopter and tastelessly placing his name all over lakers style jerseys with kobe’s number. I am actually shocked. pic.twitter.com/AD4gBjY0zm
— b e l l e (@bellesmiith) February 23, 2020
Philipp Plein made two gold helicopters for his show today, which falls 27 days after Kobe died in a helicopter crash
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BUT DONT WORRY he whipped up a bunch of Swarovski Kobe jerseys (with “Plein” written on them??) so it’s cool.
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Fuck you, Philipp. pic.twitter.com/UHjbubXuG9— Bliss Foster (@BlissFoster) February 23, 2020
Philipp Plein is nothing but a culture vulture & uncreative designer; he knows exactly what he’s doing
I wish we would all collectively just ignore him, & the many like him, instead giving them the exact reaction they want when they do something offensive...every. single. time. https://t.co/Kf90MBiGzN— sabreigha (@sabreigha) February 23, 2020
Items from the runway collection are now available on the designer's website, featuring a bedazzled purple jersey listed for $2,070 and a sparkly sweatshirt variation listed for $3,150. According to the site and Plein's Instagram post, sales from the collection will support the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, but it is unclear how much is being donated from each purchase.
Bloggers and celebrities also walked the show including Gigi Gorgeous, Nikita Dragun, Olivia Culpo, and Jada Pinkett Smith, who also appeared alongside Plein during the finale.
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