Nicki Minaj Telling Giuseppe Zanotti to Pay Up is Nothing New
Yesterday Head Barbie Nicki Minaj went after designer Giuseppe Zanotti via Twitter. The tweets found below showcase Nicki calling out Zanotti after he used her name on a number of his products but has never offered her any recognition or a cut of the profits. The sneakers in question have been removed from Zanotti's site.
The entire situation although it grinds my gears is nothing new. In the fashion world, Blacks are often the muse but we never get the credit. We can inspire but we don’t get the recognition. We can wear cornrows for centuries but Kim Kardashian started the “boxer braid” trend. We are mocked for our lips but the world takes notice when someone who didn’t have lips last year comes out with a lipstick line. Zanotti most definitely was inspired by Nicki but didn’t respect her enough to collaborate with her or offer her a percentage of the sale.
Whiteness is such a privilege. I’ve gone to -many- a- fashion shows and seen firsthand how Blacks are shunned out of the fashion world. This season, I see designers using Hip-Hop songs in conjunction with the theme of their Fall 2017 line. I’m glad Nicki called out Zanotti. I’m glad Bethann Hardison goes off about modeling and diversity.
I’m glad that it’s Black History Month and Bey is having twins and that Frederick Douglass is getting “more and more” recognition for the “amazing job” he’s been doing.
Thank you, Nicki. One time for the culture.
