13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman calls out fashion brand Ferragamo for racism

Tommy Dorfman has accused Italian fashion label Ferragamo of being both racist and transphobic in a new series of Instagram Stories, with the 13 Reasons Why star revealing that they are speaking out despite threats of legal action from the brand.

The 28-year-old 13 Reasons Why actor, who is non-binary, has worked with Ferragamo in the past as a photographer and campaign curator, and has also attended several of its fashion shows — but Tommy says they cut ties with the company months ago and now regrets ever associating with the brand.

‘The people who run this company are racist,’ Tommy, who uses they/them pronouns, wrote plainly, going on to list specific instances including its creative director asking to Photoshop a black model to be white.

Calling out: Tommy Dorfman has accused the Italian fashion label Ferragamo of being both racist and transphobic in a new series of Instagram Stories

Done: The 28-year-old 13 Reasons Why actor, who is non-binary, said they cut ties with the brand months ago and didn't speak out sooner because Ferragamo threatened legal action

Done: The 28-year-old 13 Reasons Why actor, who is non-binary, said they cut ties with the brand months ago and didn’t speak out sooner because Ferragamo threatened legal action

Dorfman appears to have posted both in light of current protests and in response to an Instagram post from Ferragamo on June 3. 

‘Reaching for a more egalitarian future. Racism must end now,’ the company wrote, including an iconic quote from Nelson Mandela.  

Soon after, Dorfman took to Instagram to challenge the brand’s anti-racism claims. 

‘It is imperative to call out companies that you know to be racist during this time,’ they wrote in screengrabs captured by Diet Prada.

‘I did not do my part in doing this months ago when they showed their true selves. I regret ever associating myself with the brand. I thought I could change them through discourse, but all I got were meaningless apologies. 

‘I cut ties with them months ago when it became clear that they discriminated against talent I cast in a campaign AGAIN after promising not to.

‘The people who run this company are racist,’ they continued. 

‘They are transphobic. They are not body-positive. They will say “but we have cast black people and trans people” which is true, but only by force of hand. And those numbers remain small. And they fail to treat them equally. Only because of rage and threats to pull out of shooting a campaign for them did they succumb.’

Names: The actor accused the brand of saying 'heinous transphobic, body phobic, and racist things directly to me' several times

Names: The actor accused the brand of saying ‘heinous transphobic, body phobic, and racist things directly to me’ several times

History: Dorfman has worked with Ferragamo in the past as a photographer and campaign curator, and has also attended several of its fashion shows

History: Dorfman has worked with Ferragamo in the past as a photographer and campaign curator, and has also attended several of its fashion shows

Dorfman recalled a specific instance in which the creative director — currently Paul Andrew, who has held the position since early 2019 — ‘asked if, in photoshop, [the brand] could make a black model white.’

What’s more, the actor said, ‘They have said heinous transphobic, body phobic, and racist things directly to me. I called them out every time and they promised to change. They said they “learned.” 

‘They have very clearly not learned, nor have they changed. They have proved, as a company, over and over again to only be interested in meaningless apologies with zero followthrough. Discourse is sometimes just not enough.’

Dorfman added that Ferragamo has threatened them with legal action should they choose to speak up, and, ‘because of that fear,’ the TV star has kept quiet until now. 

‘That time is over,’ they wrote. ‘I am sorry that I did not speak sooner on this matter. I feel extreme shame for not calling these people out until now. This post is only a small sign of how out of touch they are.

Overheard: The star said they heard creative director Paul Andrew ask if the brand could Photoshop and black model to be white

Overheard: The star said they heard creative director Paul Andrew ask if the brand could Photoshop and black model to be white

Runway: Dorfman alleged that Ferragamo only casts black and trans models when forced to and doesn't treat them equally

Runway: Dorfman alleged that Ferragamo only casts black and trans models when forced to and doesn't treat them equally

Runway: Dorfman alleged that Ferragamo only casts black and trans models when forced to and doesn’t treat them equally

‘We have to, as white people, take a look and where and when we have been complacent and part of racism, homophobia, and transphobia both directly and indirectly and call it out. Call ourselves out. People have the right to know where to spend their money and where not to,’ they concluded.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Ferragamo for comment.

On the brand’s website, diversity and preventing discrimination are listed among Ferragamo’s values.

‘Salvatore Ferragamo manages and develops its human capital by integrating and respecting diversity,’ reads the statement. ‘Employee relationships are based on the protection of personal rights and liberties as well as on fundamental principles preventing any discrimination’

The charges against Ferragamo come within days of another luxury fashion brand, Celine, being accused of ‘performative Black Lives Matter solidarity.’  

Called out: Luxury fashion brand Celine is being accused of ‘performative Black Lives Matter solidarity’ after critics called out a huge lack of diversity in its shows (pictured) and campaigns

Words: The 75-year-old French brand shared a post with the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag this week, writing that it stands against 'all forms of discrimination, oppression, and racism'

Words: The 75-year-old French brand shared a post with the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag this week, writing that it stands against ‘all forms of discrimination, oppression, and racism’

All white: But critics quickly complained about the brand's lack of diversity, pointing out an Instagram feed devoid of black faces

All white: But critics quickly complained about the brand's lack of diversity, pointing out an Instagram feed devoid of black faces

All white: But critics quickly complained about the brand’s lack of diversity, pointing out an Instagram feed devoid of black faces

Countless fashion brands have shown support for the Black Lives Matter movement on Instagram this week, but the posts are proving problematic for some companies that have been accused of not practicing what they preach online. 

The 75-year-old French brand currently helmed by creative director Hedi Slimane joined the discourse about racism on June 1 with a post proclaiming that it stands against discrimination and supports equality for all.

But the post was soon flooded with comments by critics pointing out that the brand is known for a lack of diversity, with celebrity stylist Jason Bolden accusing Celine of refusing to ‘dress any black celebs unless they have a white stylist.’ 

Fashion’s diversity problem has been well documented, with certain brands in particular failing to hire models of color for their runways or campaigns.

So when Celine shared a post with the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag this week, critics took notice.

‘Celine stands against all forms of discrimination, oppression, and racism,’ reads a black and white image on the brand’s feed. ‘Tomorrow’s world will not exist without equality for all.’ 

While a few commenters applauded the brand, many more replied with skepticism.    

Put your money where your mouth is! Dozens of commenters implored the brand to hire black models, saying that actions speak louder than words

Put your money where your mouth is! Dozens of commenters implored the brand to hire black models, saying that actions speak louder than words

‘Let us all HOPE SO. As your runway has always been LILLY WHITE. I’ll keep on eye on your progress,’ wrote one commenter.

‘Your brand image speaks louder than words,’ chided another.

‘As a Black person you’re failing us. There’s no representation from your brand,’ said a third, while a fourth commented: ‘Does this mean you’ll start including POC in your campaigns???’

In fact, there only appear to be two black models on Celine’s entire Instagram feed dating back to September 2018: one that month, and another in January 2019 — but none since.

Dozens of similar comments have poured in, with people imploring Celine to be more diverse and slamming the brand for not supporting their words with action. 

One of these commenters was celebrity stylist Jason Bolden, whose clients have included Taraji P. Henson, Yara Shahidi, Mindy Kaling, Ava DuVernay, Amandla Steinberg, Zazie Beetz, Sasha Lane, Wiz Khalifa, and Tika Sumpter.    

Chiming in: Celebrity stylist Jason Bolden commented on Celine's post

Chiming in: Celebrity stylist Jason Bolden commented on Celine’s post

Called out: He said the brand doesn't lend clothes to black stars unless they have white stylists

Called out: He said the brand doesn’t lend clothes to black stars unless they have white stylists

Just one? Messaging with Diet Prada, Bolden agreed that Amandla Steinberg is the only black star he can think of to wear the brand

Just one? Messaging with Diet Prada, Bolden agreed that Amandla Steinberg is the only black star he can think of to wear the brand

When stars wear designer clothes on the red carpet or at other press events, they are typically on loan from fashion houses — but according to Bolden, Celine doesn’t lend its clothes to black celebrities unless they work with white stylists. 

He wrote: ‘@celine wait really, u guys dnt dress any black celebs unless they have a white stylist … FACTS.’ 

The pressure has continued to pile on Celine as fashion watchdog Diet Prada shared a screengrab of Bolden’s comment. 

Diet Prada also communicated with Bolden over DM, asking if he knew of any celebrities who have worn Celine besides Amandla Steinberg.

‘That’s about it. That’s the fact,’ he wrote back. ‘If u can’t find them that’s the problem.’

Besides campaigns and stars wearing their clothes, the lack of diversity is evident in on its runways. 

Diet Prada noted just how few black models have appeared in Celine’s presentations for the past six shows. 

Stats: Diet Prada noted just how few black models have appeared in Celine's presentations for the past six shows

Stats: Diet Prada noted just how few black models have appeared in Celine’s presentations for the past six shows

That's all: There only appear to be two black models on Celine's entire Instagram feed dating back to September 2018: one that month, and another in January 2019 — but none since

That's all: There only appear to be two black models on Celine's entire Instagram feed dating back to September 2018: one that month, and another in January 2019 — but none since

That’s all: There only appear to be two black models on Celine’s entire Instagram feed dating back to September 2018: one that month, and another in January 2019 — but none since

In its most recent show, Fall 2020, just 10 looks out of 111 were worn by black models. Black models wore just six of 64 looks in Spring 2020, three of 53 looks in the Spring 2020 men’s show, six of 59 looks in Fall 2019, and six of 96 looks in Spring 2019.

Shockingly enough, that’s an improvement over several years ago.

Upset: Celine designer Hedi Slimane, who is pictured in 2012, has been accused of demonstrating 'an apparent aversion to black models'

Upset: Celine designer Hedi Slimane, who is pictured in 2012, has been accused of demonstrating ‘an apparent aversion to black models’

The brand didn’t cast any black models from the time Phoebe Philo took over as creative director in 2009 through its Fall 2013 show. Over eight runway shows and 259 looks, not a single model was black.

The casting decisions led supermodel Iman to boycott the brand in 2013.

‘There is something terribly wrong. We have a president and a first lady who are black. You would think things have changed, and then you realize that they have not. In fact, things have gone backward,’ she told the New York Times. 

Only after that did Celine finally cast a black model — just one, Grace Mahary — in its Spring 2014 show. 

While individual fashion brands are still being called out, the Council of Fashion Designers of America — which counts 450 American fashion and accessory designers as members — announced several new initiatives this week to combat racism and promote diversity within the fashion industry.

‘Given the deplorable acts of racism and violence that we have seen play out in our country over this past week, our response as an organization was first and foremost on our minds and in our hearts,’ Chairman Tom Ford and President & CEO Steven Kolb wrote in a statement.

CFDA chimes in: The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced several new initiatives this week to combat racism and promote diversity within the fashion industry

CFDA chimes in: The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced several new initiatives this week to combat racism and promote diversity within the fashion industry

‘Black people in this country are reeling from years of injustice stemming from institutional constructs such as slavery, segregation, mass incarceration, police brutality and economic and voter suppression. The Black community is experiencing anger and frustration on top of the effects of the global pandemic that has hit communities of color the hardest.

Leading the charge: The initiatives were outlined by CFDA Chairman Tom Ford (pictured) and President & CEO Steven Kolb

Leading the charge: The initiatives were outlined by CFDA Chairman Tom Ford (pictured) and President & CEO Steven Kolb

‘Having a clear voice and speaking out against racial injustice, bigotry and hatred is the first step, but this is not enough. It is not enough to simply say that we stand in solidarity with those who are discriminated against. We must do something,’ they said. 

Their new initiatives ‘will immediately be undertaken to create systemic change within our industry’.

First, the CFDA will create ‘an in-house employment program specifically charged with placing Black talent in all sectors of the fashion business to help achieve a racially balanced industry. This program will be tasked with identifying Black creatives and pairing these individuals with companies looking to hire’

Next, it will create mentorship and internship programs ‘focused on placing Black students and recent graduates within established companies in the fashion sector’.

The organization will make immediate contributions and being fundraising activities for organizations like the NAACP and Campaign Zero, and will implement a Diversity and Inclusion training program.

‘We urge each and every member of the CFDA to take stock of their corporate structure to ensure that they have a racially balanced workforce and we challenge the retail sector of the fashion industry to ensure that their roster of brands and their product assortment is representative of the Black talent in our industry,’ the statement concluded.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk