Gabriella Karefa-Johnson Doesn't Care What Kanye West Thinks: She's Fat and Proud

Kanye West recently premiered his latest fashion collection in Paris.  His YZY SZN 9 collection was attended by many including Vogue Global editor at large, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson.  The Internet went into full on shock mode after West’s show featured “White Lives Matter" Shirts.  The same show which saw celebrities like Jaden Smith walking out and to which the NY Times offered a scathing review of.  Jaden later provided some clarity behind his leaving and said "I Had To Dip Lol. True Leaders Lead. I Don’t Care Who’s It Is If I Don’t Feel The Message I’m Out. Black Lives Matter. We Demand A More Progressive Future.

Kanye West, Candace Owens and Lauryn Hill’s daughter Selah Marley were seen sporting the shirts on stage. Gabriella’s critique of the shirts angered West and he attacked her appearance in a now deleted post with a picture of her that stated “this is not a fashion person.” 

Kanye’s attack of her appearance was a bullying tactic used to question her authority as a fashion expert all because she spoke out against him creating “White Lives Matter” shirts.  I don't know if Kanye and Candace are aware but it's important for them to know that you can be a conservative black voice while not making an ignominious fool of yourselves.   

Black Lives Matter Explained

The Black Lives Matter movement was created to bring awareness and correction to societal views about black people and the unfair treatment that they receive because of their race.  The movement came from a place where inequality and discrimination lives and are the norm. The movement was designed to help change that.   The “Black Lives Matter” slogan was created to help people to understand that the lives of black people matter and that justice and healing is needed to correct the wrongs of the past that many black people deal with today as a result of historical racism.  It was not to say that only black lives matter.  It was to make it a point that black lives should be included in the umbrella of lives that have always mattered or the lives that has always held a hierarchy over others throughout history.  So when a person responds, “White Lives Matters” they are feeding into racist and supremacist ideology towards black people that have always existed throughout history.  They are essentially attempting to cancel or quiet the voice of the oppressed.  This is a microaggression which can be categorized as a microinvalidation.  Believe it or not, "White Lives Matter" is actually classified as a hate slogan by the Anti Defamation League.

In response to seeing the shirts, Gabriella had this to say:  “the t-shirts this man conceived, produced, and shared with the world are pure violence.”  She felt that Kanye’s decision to send the shirts down the runway was “irresponsible” and “dangerous.”

Vogue issued a statement in support of Gabriella which said “Vogue stands with Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, our global fashion editor at large and longtime contributor.  She was personally targeted and bullied.  It is unacceptable.  Now more than ever, voices like hers are needed and in a private meeting with Ye today, she once again spoke her truth in a way she felt best, on her terms.”

Instead of offering a statement about why he created the shirts and used them in his show, he attacks a woman’s look and tried to destroy her credibility.  It was very misogynist of Kanye to attack Gabriella’s appearance because she spoke out against the shirts that are rooted in white supremacist ideology.  Kanye’s fanbase typically “go hard” for him but there are some of us who refuse to continue to defend his sometimes nonsensical behavior.  Some of that core base went onto Gabriella’s page and posted inflammatory comments about her.  Gabriella spoke about this in an IG post where she said:

"I’ve fielded some serious volatility over the last couple of days but nothing has been quite as bad as what people have said about my body and the way I look.  The fat phobia JUMPED out.  Yes, I am fat.  No, I’m not humiliated to show up as my authentic self  in the world.  I love this photo from the Balenciaga show because it captures something I’ve worked hard to achieve (and sometimes still fail at doing) loving and feeling myself, and supporting designers that don’t make bigger bodies bend to them.  Thank you @chopovalowena for making fashion that serves so many different body types—I looked and felt amazing in this dress.  Thank you @mrstreetpeeper for capturing the vibes!  To my fellow fat sisters and brothers, put that lil dress on, grab your miniskirts: We ride at dawn!

Well---how’s that for a double dose of empowerment and a professional way to say “get outta heah” to people like Kanye who spoke negatively of her appearance.  We need more people like Gabriella in this world.  People who are their authentic selves-- who refuse to cave into other's ideals about their appearance.  People who are proud of the way they look even if it's in opposition to what the world believes is beautiful.  People who know they are fashion even if another says they aren't.

-Dr. Mechelle Eleene

Photos courtesy of @gabriellak_j

*****Gabriella and Kanye have since had a private session to explore each other’s truths on a deeper level.  They are now on better terms.