Russian fashion blogger and entrepreneur Miroslava Duma is facing even more backlash for ‘bigotry’ and ‘transphobia’ after a damning video of her saying transgender models should be censored in 2012 emerged online.
The video was posted just one day after Duma, 32, came under fire for sharing a snapshot of Russian designer Ulyana Sergeenko’s personal note to her, which was addressed ‘To my n****s in Paris.’
In the clip, which was translated from Russian, Duma denounces blogger Bryanboy and transgender model Andrej Pejić for wearing women’s clothing, saying they should be censored.
Under fire: A video has emerged of fashion blogger Miroslava Duma (pictured) denouncing transgender model Andrej Pejić and blogger Bryanboy for wearing women’s clothing in 2012
Transphobic words: The disturbing video was filmed a year before Pejić (pictured) came out as a transgender woman and started using the name Andreja
Writer Sasha Rubchinsky transcribed the video before sharing it on Twitter, writing: ‘I took the time to add English subtitles to Miroslava Duma’s transphobic rant against @andrejapejic , @bryanboy and @KimKardashian from a couple years ago so here it is.’
During the Q&A session, which was filmed a year before Pejić came out as a trans woman and started using the name Andreja, an audience member asks Duma to share her thoughts on men modeling women’s clothing.
‘You mentioned Bryanboy and his style… he wears women’s clothing,’ the person says. ‘Female fashion is being modeled by men now. What is your opinion on, say, Andrej Pejić who advertises women’s swimsuits? Would you consider that normal?’
Duma responds: ‘Honestly, I dislike that. Because somewhere, on TV or in a magazine, a little boy could see it and that boy wouldn’t understand it correctly, wouldn’t react correctly. And I think a certain kind of censorship and refined culture is needed here.’
Insensitive: In the clip, she says she wouldn’t feature Bryanboy or Pejić on her site, Buro24/7. She also calls them ‘weird’ and thanks god ‘there aren’t that many of them’
Out of touch: At the time, Duma took issue with blogger Bryanboy (pictured) wearing women’s clothing
The fashion insider goes on to call Bryanboy and Pejić ‘weird’ people, adding: ‘Thank God, there aren’t that many of them!’
When she is asked if she would feature them on her website, Buro24/7, Duma replies: ‘No, we would never publish someone like Pejić. We have censorship at Buro. We’re very concerned about the beauty and purity of the things we publish.’
Duma adds that she wouldn’t have them on her site for the same reason she wouldn’t feature the likes of Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian.
‘We respect our readers too much for that,’ she says.
Bryboy went on to post the video to his Instagram account, writing: Racism and bigotry is never cool. I guess I’m too weird… btw I just saw this today on Twitter. So I’m also as shocked as you guys are!’
Hitting back: Bryanboy shared the clip on his Instagram account, writing: ‘Racism and bigotry is never cool’
Here it is: Writer Sasha Rubchinsky translated the video from Russian before sharing it on Twitter, calling it a ‘transphobic rant’
Just one day after she apologized for sharing a note featuring a racial slur, Duma returned to Instagram to apologize for her transphobic comments from 2012.
‘First things first: I am deeply ashamed by the comments I made in 2012,’ she wrote. ‘Frankly, I’m as shocked as anyone to be viewing that footage today, and to see for my own eyes how utterly offensive and hurtful my actions were back then.
Duma noted that her comments were made in front of open-minded students, which makes her ‘seem all the more insensitive and out of touch’
‘As we all know, the world is evolving at an extraordinary pace, and we as humans evolve too,’ she continued. ‘The person I was six years ago is not who I am today. In the intervening years, I have committed myself to a journey of personal growth, where ignorance has been replaced by acceptance, and discrimination by inclusion.
‘I deeply respect people of all backgrounds: I believe in equality for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender identity, religion, or sexual orientation.’
New controversy: Just one day after she apologized for sharing a note featuring a racial slur, Duma returned to Instagram to apologize for her transphobic comments from 2012
Duma noted that she hopes the public discussions surrounding her will ‘shine a light’ on the need to put an end to discrimination.
‘It is true that I come from a culture where words and attitudes may be different than the Western ideals that I, in fact, have come to understand and accept,’ she said. ‘I know now, better than ever, that I should be an example of positivity and progress for the people who follow me, and that my platform and privilege can be used as agents of change — particularly in our current political environment.
After apologizing to the people and communities she offended, Duma also offered an apology to the professional organizations she is affiliated with, stressing that the comments she had made are ‘in no way representative of those organizations or their teams.’
‘I do not expect instant forgiveness, nor forgiveness at all, for those I’ve offended,’ she ended the post. ‘I know that my actions must speak louder than my words or gestures on social media — and I pledge to do the necessary work to gain back people’s trust and respect.’
Earlier this week, Duma was slammed for sharing a note, which read: ‘To my n****s in Paris, on her Instagram Story.
Start of it all: Duma (left) is also facing backlash for sharing a photo of a note from designer Ulyana Sergeenko (right), which was addressed ‘To my n****s in Paris’
Bad choice: Sergeenko’s message on the note is a reference to Kanye West and Jay-Z’s song of the same name, as well as a nod to Duma attending her couture show in Paris on Tuesday
The message on the card that was sent by Ulyana Sergeenko was a reference to Kanye West and Jay-Z’s song of the same name, as well as a nod to Duma attending her couture show in Paris on Tuesday.
Many are appalled that the fashion insiders casually use the N-word, while others couldn’t believe Duma would actually post a photo of the offensive message.
Sergeenko wrote a lengthy apology, which she posted on Instagram Tuesday, but her attempt to excuse her behavior by saying she is a huge Kanye West fan made people even more outraged.
‘I was born in a small town in East Kazakhstan, my daughter is half Armenian, I have never divided people on white or black,’ she wrote.
‘Kanye West is one of my favorite musicians, and NP is one of my most favorite songs.’
Offensive: The designer admitted to casually calling her friend the N-word ‘sometimes.’ Sergeenko and Duma are pictured at Paris Fashion Week in 2016
Too late? Duma apologized for sharing the ‘utterly offensive’ language in her ‘regrettable Instagram story’ on Tuesday
The designer went on to admit that she and her friends do call each other the N-word from time to time, but she insists they are just trying to be like the song’s rappers.
‘And yes, we call each other the N word sometimes when we want to believe that we are just as cool as these guys who sing it,’ she continued. I am deeply sorry to everyone whom I might have offended.
‘Mira is a dear friend and even the fact that she so naively posted my private card to her on her social means that we meant nothing wrong and didn’t realize the consequences.
‘I have certainly learned my lesson and I am grateful for it. There is enough anger in the world out there, please, can we stop it here?’ she ended the apology.
Sergeenko’s casual use of the N-word and her lame apology prompted a response from numerous people in the fashion industry.
Excuse? In her Instagram apology, Sergeenko explained that Kanye West is her ‘favorite musician’
Consequenses: Despite her apology, Duma was removed from the board of Dallas-based parenting brand The Tot, which she co-founded
Naomi Campbell, 47, tagged Sergeenko along with an image of the offensive note on Instagram Stories and wrote: This better not be real.’
Fashion photographer Ed Kavishe posted a screenshot of Sergeenko’s note to Duma on Instagram, writing: ‘What planet would you think this was acceptable language and behavior? You don’t get to use these words ever.’
He later posted Sergeenko’s apology, adding: ‘Here is Apology Number one from @ulyanasergeenko “Kanye West is one of my favorite Musicians” #SoImnotaRacist – Not sure what’s more pathetic the original post or this pile of vomit apology.’
Callia A. Hargove, a social media editor at Teen Vogue, tweeted: ‘This DISGUSTS me. To see Mira post something on IG so casually using this racial slur, and then have Ulyana defend the usage with such a bs excuse makes my blood boil.
‘So tired of “fashion girls” thinking that listening to one rap song gives them the right.’
Making waves: Naomi Campbell, 47, tagged Sergeenko along with an image of the offensive note on Instagram Stories and wrote: This better not be real’
Unacceptable: Fashion photographer Ed Kavishe shared a screenshot of Sergeenko’s note while slamming the fashion insiders for their use of the racial slur
Outraged by her words: Many were appalled by the designer’s attempt at an apology
‘Makes my blood boil’: Callia A. Hargove, a social media editor at Teen Vogue, tweeted her disgust
‘Of course she’s not Racist!’ Fashion blogger Bryanboy also took to Twitter to slam Sergeenko’s apology
Bryanboy also took to Twitter to slam Sergeenko’s apology.
‘So Lena Dunham definitely wrote Ulyana’s apology letter! Of course she’s not Racist, Kanye West is her favorite musician!’ he wrote, later tweeting: ‘I love rich Caucasian woman privilege! I mean.’
Later on Tuesday, Duma released her own apology on her Instagram page.
‘I sincerely apologize for my regrettable Instagram story that went out,’ she wrote. ‘The phrase references is from a Kanye West and Jay-Z song by the same title. The word is utterly offensive, and I regret promoting it and am very sorry.
‘I deeply respect people from all backgrounds and detest racism or discrimination of any kind,’ she added. ‘My organizations and I are committed to our core values of inclusion and diversity.’
Outcry: Shelton Boyd called for fashion editors to boycott Sergeenko’s couture show in Paris on Tuesday
Shaking her head: One person couldn’t get over the fact that the designer said she uses the N-word ‘to be cool like Kanye’
No excuses: Phillip Picardi pointed out that Sergeenko and Duma are both ‘cultured, educated, extremely wealthy citizens of the world’
‘In light of Ulyana’s soggy apology’: Writer Marjon Carlos insisted ‘there have to be repercussions for behavior like this’
Track record: In 2014, Duma’s blog, Buro 24/7, shared a horrendously offensive image of Russian socialite Dasha Zhukova sitting on a chair made to resemble a half-naked black woman
Despite her apology, Duma was removed from the board of Dallas-based parenting brand The Tot, which she co-founded.
An Instagram post published by The Tot read: ‘We at The Tot are deeply shocked by the offensive and racist post shared last night by Miroslava Duma during Paris Fashion Week. In no way do those actions or statements reflect the values of The Tot.
‘Cultural reference or not, racism in any form is unacceptable, regardless of whether it’s accidental or unintentional. Words are powerful and we know those words hurt. Effective immediately, we have removed Miroslava Duma from the board of our company.’
This isn’t the first time Duma has been accused of racism. In 2014, her blog, Buro 24/7, shared a horrendously offensive image of Russian socialite Dasha Zhukova sitting on a chair made to resemble a half-naked black woman — on Martin Luther King Day. Duma also posted the insensitive photo on Instagram.
Both were met with an immediate barrage of disgusted comments, and Duma quickly deleted the picture from Instagram and cropped out the chair on Buro 24/7.