Russian fashion designer Ulyana Sergeenko is facing backlash for using a racial slur in a note sent to lifestyle blogger Miroslava Duma.
The card, which reads: ‘To my n****s in Paris, was shared on Duma’s Instagram Story on Monday evening, prompting backlash for both of the women — neither of whom are black.
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.
Controversy: Designer Ulyana Sergeenko (left) is facing backlash for sending lifestyle blogger Miroslava Duma (right) a card that she 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
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.’
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.
Offensive: The designer admitted to casually calling her friend the N-word ‘sometimes.’ They are pictured at Paris fashion week in 2016
In her Instagram apology, Sergeenko explained that Kanye West is her ‘favorite musician’
‘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.
Fashion photographer Ed Kavishe shared 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.’
Fashion photographer Ed Kavishe shared a screenshot of Sergeenko’s note while slamming the fashion insiders for their use of the racial slur
Many were appalled by the designer’s attempt at an apology
Callia A. Hargove, a social media editor at Teen Vogue, tweeted her disgust
Fashion blogger Bryanboy also took to Twitter to slam Sergeenko’s apology
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.’
Fashion blogger 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.’