Trending 14th June 2018 by Helen O'Neill

A Fashion Label’s ‘#MeToo Inspired’ Collection Is Causing Quite A Stir

The line has been described as 'out of touch'.

An Aussie fashion label has come under fire for naming a new collection after the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault.

The brand, called Kholo, initially launched the line with the statement:

The original inspiration, which began from the masterpiece embroidery (The Maya Angelou Coat) – started with inspiration from the #MeToo movement. So it felt really natural for me to name the collection after it. Its embedded with symbols and connections to women, armour and self defence. It was the seed for me.

“When the whole #MeToo thing broke out, I was so surprised. Friends, mentors, peers – were all opening up about their experiences. I started getting into books, following feeds and reading more and more stories.

Women have been protecting themselves for generations. I just didn’t know. Yes. It shouldn’t happen. But yes. It does. So this is for the warriors. For all the wounds. Mental, physical and the worst; emotional. For the healing.”

There has been concern that the collection is insensitive – people are also suggesting the brand may be trying to cash in on what is a very serious movement and missing the point.

The garments were given provocative names like ‘Sex On Legs’ and ‘Take Me Off Slip Dress’, which haven’t gone down well either:

https://twitter.com/ZuckerBaby/status/1007025384607498240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosmopolitan.com%2Fuk%2Ffashion%2Fstyle%2Fa21474702%2Faussie-fashion-labels-metoo-collection-causes-controversy%2F

https://twitter.com/_antoinetterose/status/1007020607228112896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosmopolitan.com%2Fuk%2Ffashion%2Fstyle%2Fa21474702%2Faussie-fashion-labels-metoo-collection-causes-controversy%2F

Since the controversy broke out, the brand has renamed the collection ‘Magnificent’ and issued an apology on their Instagram.

“I don’t want what I do to make money for the wrong reasons,” the post read. “I started from a place of good intent and I am so sorry if it was a trigger for you, or cause you pain in any way.”

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