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‘Be My Slave’ fashion photo shoot hears cries of racism

‘Be My Slave’ fashion photo shoot hears cries of racism

Here's the thing about fashion designers trying to be avant-garde or cutting edge -- they hardly ever are.

A Pakistani designer is taking some serious heat for an editorial spread called "Be My Slave" that features an extravagantly dressed white model being tended to by a dark-skinned young boy.

The spread was originally published in DIVA, a fashion and lifestyle magazine in Pakistan, but has also been posted on the designer's Facebook fan page.

Despite the images screaming a depiction of slavery, designer Aamna Aqeel claims she was merely trying to bring attention to the issue of child labour, not slavery, and the fact that the little boy is dark skinned is purely incidental.

Also see: Vogue under fire for another blackface editorial

“He works in a garage and wanted some work,” she tells International Herald Tribune.

Aqueel argues that she volunteers for a children's charity, and in not so many words, says she deeply cares about the well-being of children and how they are exploited as domestic workers.

But if she wanted to condemn child labour, she's sure done a terrible job. Aside from the mistake of choosing a dark-skinned kid, there's nothing about the images that represent child labour in a negative light, like for example, the woman being portrayed as a villain.

Aqueel's defense is also not one readily accepted by the outspoken Facebook commenters who have slagged her online. A few samples include:

"So the message is 'slaves for the ultra rich'?"

"Ah so slavery is 'on trend' now is it?"

"I find this very disturbing, degrading and tasteless!!"

Also see: Just how offensive are these ads?

Insulting racial depictions by fashion designer who claim their artist vision is merely misunderstood by the meager minds of the public is nothing new.

The fashion industry has been using "blackface" images with all manner of reckless disregard on runways and magazine spreads. The latest incarnation occurred last month when Vogue came under fire for a blackface editorial fashion spread.

What are your thoughts on the "Be My Slave" fashion spread? And what how race is depicted overall in fashion?