Designer Philipp Plein criticised for ‘disgusting’ Kobe Bryant tribute featuring gold helicopters
Fashion designer Philipp Plein has faced backlash after paying tribute to the late Kobe Bryant in a “distasteful” way during a Milan Fashion Week show on Saturday.
For the finale, the German fashion designer styled his models in Swarovski-encrusted garments inspired by Bryant’s Lakers jersey, embossed with the late basketball player’s shirt number “24” and Plein’s surname.
The catwalk also included gold helicopters as props, a feature that has been heavily criticised.
On 26 January, a helicopter crash in Los Angeles took the lives of Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant and seven other passengers.
Plein’s decision to pay homage to the late basketball player in such a manner has been heavily criticised online.
“Distasteful, tacky and material waste,” another critic stated.
“Philipp Plein who has so long been making clothing that adds nothing but clutter to the fashion landscape has decided to include gold helicopters along his crystal basketball jerseys after the passing of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. It’s disgusting.”
“This is disappointing, distasteful and disrespectful. Philipp Plein making a ‘tribute’ to Kobe Bryant by featuring a gold helicopter and tastelessly placing his name all over Lakers style jerseys with Kobe’s number. I am actually shocked,” someone else remarked.
Speaking to Vogue, Plein stated that the gold helicopters, fighter jets, yacht and supercars featured in the fashion show were commissioned in late 2019.
“If I would have known what happened, after the accident, I would not have put helicopters there,” the fashion designer said.
“It was terrible what happened, but I couldn’t cancel the helicopters anymore. So I just wanted to say this.”
Plein added that he planned on making a donation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation in memory of Bryant and his daughter.
distasteful, tacky & material waste. philipp plein who has so long been making clothing that adds nothing but clutter to the fashion landscape has decided to include gold helicopters along his crystal basketball jerseys after the passing of kobe & gianna bryant. its disgusting. pic.twitter.com/zvFq4oU5gG
— ꪑꫀꪀᦔꫀꪶ (@gaultiercouture)
this is disappointing, distasteful, and disrespectful .Philipp Plein making a “tribute” to Kobe Bryant by featuring a gold helicopter and tastelessly placing his name all over lakers style jerseys with kobe’s number. I am actually shocked. pic.twitter.com/AD4gBjY0zm
— b e l l e (@bellesmiith)
Philipp Plein is using Kobe death for their own vanity
— ᒍᑌ (@jumet)
On Sunday, Giorgio Armani held a runway show at Milan Fashion Week in an empty room amid coronavirus fears.
In a statement released by the Italian fashion house, Armani stated: “The show will be shown behind closed doors, due to recent developments of coronavirus in Italy, live-streamed in front of an empty Teatro [theatre] on the Armani website, therefore please do not attend the show this afternoon.
“The decision was taken to safeguard the well-being of all his invited guests by not having them attend crowded spaces.”
The Independent has contacted Philipp Plein for comment.
