Pharrell Wears A Native American Headdress On The Cover Of ‘Elle’ UK, Sparks Twitter Backlash
Pharrell swapped his now trademark Vivienne Westwood mountie hat for a Native American headdress on the Doug Inglish-shot cover of Elle UK and sparked an immediate social media backlash. Some commentators accused the hitmaker of cultural appropriation, arguing that the headpiece is sacred cultural garb. The hashtag #NotHappy soon began to trend on Twitter.
To his credit, the “Get Lucky” singer issued a heartfelt apology. “I respect and honor every kind of race, background and culture,” Pharrell said in a statement. “I am genuinely sorry.” The magazine is yet to comment. I have another (admittedly, much less important) issue with the look. Does it remind anyone else of N.E.R.D.‘s Nothing LP cover? See a selection of the #NotHappy tweets after the jump.
#NotHappy about #Pharrell.
"Our Culture is not an accessory! How dare the War Bonnet be worn in the same fashion… //t.co/c9Qbh5pcbc
— Support S.Dakota Rez (@SupportSDrez) June 4, 2014
Stop arguing about Pharrell being Native or not, you DO NOT wear a headdress for fashion. #NotHappy #Dishonor //t.co/yAv1A1foKo
— Support S.Dakota Rez (@SupportSDrez) June 4, 2014
Really, @PharelI and @ELLEUK? Did you miss the memo? Head dress = not a hat. #notHappy #appropriation //t.co/fC08g1tYEv
— Andrew Friesen (@andrewfri) June 4, 2014
Really @elleUK & @Pharrell really? Lookin' like a clueless Bonnaroo youth. Did you miss the memo? #NotAHat #NOThappy //t.co/Aqp7vAY7Zb
— Deejay Efsharp (@DJEfsharp) June 4, 2014
Urgh. Why does the fashion industry insist on turning sacred cultural items into fashion props? #NOTHappy @ELLEUK pic.twitter.com/pcjFER2bVe
— Aparna Balakumar (@OnceAPARNATime) June 4, 2014
Indigenous headdresses are not hats. #nothappy //t.co/Dq3erdnckc
— Sylvie Annette (@SylvieAnnette) June 4, 2014
Oh no, Pharrell jumped on the cultural appropriation train. Waiting to see him in a Navajo sweater from UO. #nothappy //t.co/CdB7yeGJui
— Catt Small (@cattsmall) June 4, 2014
Pharell…why?! #NotHappy with @ELLEmagazine for the appropriation of this headdress. #NotYourMascot //t.co/99kcbN0Hwl
— Dinée Dorame (@dineepink) June 4, 2014
There were alternate views, however:
Haha! My friend who's Scottish: "I don't go mad when people wear kilts."
@Pharrell #NotHappy
— Just a No Doubt fan (@DearNoDoubt) June 4, 2014
#nothappy is a pretty lame hashtag. People offended over nothing.
— Ghost of Pac (@TyeDiamond) June 4, 2014
How do you feel about Pharrell’s fashion statement? Let us know in the comments below.
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