Elle UK has has been slammed for its latest cover which features Pharrell Williams sporting a feathered headdress.
Thousands of social media users have shared their anger and branded the photo “disrespectful” and “racist” as the traditional feather headpiece is a sacred symbol for Native Americans. With people taking to both Pharrell’s and the Elle UK Facebook pages, comments included “Please stop your stylists from exploiting native culture on photo shoots. You should know better,” as well as “Are you kidding me? This is the most disturbing overtly racist, disrespectful cooptation of a cultural object.“
Some people shared their anger by using the hashtag “nothappy” to make reference to the singers’ hit song ‘Happy’, while others took the opportunity to educate about the meaning of a feather headdress. One person explained that the headdress “is sacred, it was worn by those who were revered and chosen to lead the people. It’s not meant to be a fancy headdress for trendsetting.“
Earlier this week, Pharrell issued an apology and said: “I respect and honor every kind of race, background and culture. I am genuinely sorry.“
The image is a second, limited-edition cover that has been published in addition to one featuring Keira Knightley. It was initially posted on the Elle UK website with the words: “We persuaded ELLE Style Award winner Pharrell to trade his Vivienne Westwood mountie hat for a native American feather headdress in his best ever shoot.” These words have since been removed.
