When it comes to the world of fashion, beefs typically erupt over talk of who stole whose idea about this season’s hottest new look. Nevertheless, fashion’s biggest beef of the moment involves two of the most unlikely participants, Russell Simmons and Andre Leon Talley, who are embroiled in a growing fashion war.
The surprising beef started last week when Talley spoke with TheGriot.com about racism in fashion and criticized fashion mogul Simmons “should not be seated front row” at New York Fashion Week because of his controversial Harriet Tubman sex tape parody video.
“I don’t think Russell Simmons should be seated on anybody’s front row this week after having done that disgusting Harriet Tubman sex tape,” Talley said. “He is a man of great achievement. He is a great philanthropist — why would he think it would be an honorable thing to do? He said he thought it was funny. That is not funny; it is outrageously disrespectful to the legacy and history of Harriet Tubman and to the struggle.”
Although Simmons has publicly apologized for the offensive video, he apologized again to ALT and then proceeded to slam the former Vogue editor for what he considered a lack of contributions to both the black fashion community and the LGBT community.
Im really sincerely sorry @andreleontally. Fyi ive done more for blacks in fashion and gay rights then you, can i get a break/ seat ?
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) September 13, 2013
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) September 13, 2013
Simmons’ criticisms singe with even greater heat since ALT recently drew fire over his refusal to be labeled as “gay” and a recent Vanity Fair expose in which the current editor-at-large of Numero Russia’s career and under accomplishments due to racism are examined.
Andre Leon Talley has yet to respond to Simmons’ critique and that may be for the best as an ongoing feud between the two men would only serve to sully their respectable reputations. Hopefully, the two men will make peace with each other and feel more inclined to work together to make progress in both fashion and the LGBT community instead of tearing each other down.
Check out some other unnecessary beefs below. – nicholas robinson
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