Twitter On Criticism Of Kamala Harris For Wearing Controversial Brand Dolce & Gabbana: 'Misogyny'

Kamala Harris has received flak for wearing the controversial brand Dolce & Gabbana, but some social media users are firing back, claiming the discussion over the vice president's fashion choices may be rooted in misogyny.

Last month, Harris wore several pieces from the Italian fashion house, including a chevron sweater, a lace-paneled wool sweater during a lunch with President Joe Biden, a gray checked blazer and trouser suit during the swearing-in of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. This led to some criticizing her for supporting Dolce & Gabbana and its co-founders, who have attracted controversy multiple times over the years for alleged racism, sexism, homophobia and cultural insensitivity, The Guardian reported.

One of those who questioned Harris' support of the fashion house is Vittoria Vignone, who runs the website Kamala's Closet. “Was it an oversight on the part of her team? It’s possible but also incredibly sloppy. They could and should be better, especially after the triumphs of last week. The timing of this so soon after her inaugural choices championed lesser-known American designers of color is awful no matter how you look at it,” she wrote on Instagram.

A number of Twitter users shared the same opinion, with one saying she was stunned that the vice president would wear Dolce & Gabbana and suggesting that Harris should be informed about the brand's "problematic issues with race" if she is unaware of them.

Others, however, questioned the discussion over Harris' clothing as her male counterparts did not receive the same treatment.

"I understand the problems with D&G, but WHEN HAS A MALE POLITICIAN EVER BEEN CRITICIZED FOR WHAT LABEL HE'S WEARING? How about you stop reviewing women's outfits, especially when you're not doing the same for male counterparts? #sexism #misogyny," one commented.

"FFS, as long as she does her job to protect our democracy I wouldn't care if she did it naked, wearing fur or sweatpants and fuzzy slippers #misogyny is real," a second user wrote.

"Could anyone name a SINGLE BRAND Pence or Biden wore when they were vp? Thought not. So what's so different about Harris? Oh wait, she doesn't have a penis," another added.

Some speculated that Harris’ style became a target because there was nothing else to criticize her on, while others insisted the vice president can wear anything she wants.

"Wear what you want, never f--king listen to these negative people. It’s because you are a woman and know how to dress," one netizen wrote, while another tweeted, "We knew that would happen! Kamala can wear what she wants when she wants!"

Dolce & Gabbana and its founders, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, have made headlines multiple times over the years for their controversial clothing, advertising and comments on sensitive topics, including calling children born through in vitro fertilization "synthetic" and saying IVF pregnancies are "chemical offsprings and rented uterus." In 2015, the designers also expressed their opposition to gay couples adopting children.

The designers apologized for their comments months after their remarks angered netizens and celebrities such as Elton John and Courtney Love, E! News reported. However, this was far from their last controversy.

Dolce & Gabbana’s spring 2013 collection was slammed for its inclusion of Blackamoor imagery, which leans heavily on racist stereotypes and is usually associated with depictions of slavery. Other items from the brand that have received flak were the “Slave Sandal” from its spring 2016 collection and the "I’m Thin & Gorgeous" graffiti sneakers that allegedly promote body dysmorphia.

In 2018, the brand faced massive backlash after releasing a promotional video depicting an Asian woman struggling to eat Italian food as a part of their “DG Loves China” campaign. In the clip, the model uses chopsticks to eat items like a cannoli and a slice of pizza while a male narrator asks, “Is it too huge for you?”

Following the release of the video, Dolce & Gabbana saw a significant drop in sales and social media engagement in China.