Princess of Monaco Charlotte Casiraghi has become the latest public figure to spark anger for wearing a Native American costume.
Charlotte Casiraghi, 26, who chose the ensemble to participate in the Gucci-sponsored Paris Masters International Jumping Competition this weekend, was branded “ignorant” and “racist” by Tumblr users, many of whom appeared to be royal fans, judging by their usernames.
Royalwatcher wrote on the site: “I don’t know who told her it was cute to dress in traditonal [sic] clothing of Native American but gurlll, I’m judging you and not in the good way.”
Another, named Prin-ses-ka-ro-leen, added: “Dear Charlotte Casiraghi, American Indians still endure racism, ignorance and abuse on a regular basis simply because they are Native. You displayed terribly poor judgment in your choice of <<outfit>>.”
And Icaughtafallingdream wrote: “It’s not cute and it’s not funny. It’s just insulting and dumb.”
Given that the controversy follows a series of similar missteps from Victoria’s Secret, Urban Outfitters and Gwen Stefani, the fashion website Styleite questioned whether there was some poor judgement on the part of Gucci, the sponsor of the tournament and the brand Charlotte Casiraghi represents.
“Other riders dressed up as Roman warriors, donkeys, angels, and Flintstones – you know, costumes – while Casiraghi opted for an outfit that has been publicly denounced as racist time and time again,” reporter Hilary George-Parkin wrote.
“As the royal is the face of an international luxury brand (however reluctantly), one would think there would be more oversight [sic] on Gucci’s part.”
Princess of Monaco Charlotte Casiraghi has become the latest public figure to spark anger for wearing a Native American costume
The costume certainly adds fuel to an already heated debate about representation of Native Americans in popular culture.
Sasha Houston Brown, a member of the Santee Sioux tribe of Nebraska and a vocal champion of Native American culture, wrote last month on the Racialicious blog: “Despite what dominant society and mainstream media say, Native culture is a vibrant and living culture.
“We are not a relic of the past, a theme or a trend; we are not a style or costume; we are not mascots, noble savages or romantic fictional entities. We are human beings and, despite all odds, we have survived.
“As sovereign Nations, Indigenous peoples have the right to speak for ourselves and not have dominant Euro-American society project and profit off of an artificial and socially constructed image of <<Indian>> identity.”
The commentary on Charlotte Casiraghi’s costume was not all negative, however. Several Tumblr users spoke out in her defence.
Josephg wrote on the thread: “i think she look gorgeous :)”
Intomyfoyer went further, pointing out that it was Gucci’s choice of costume, and blame should not be cast on Charlotte Casiraghi.
“It doesn’t mean she has no idea about America’s past, she’s not dumb…” they wrote.
“This whole thing will be offensive only if YOU make it offensive, no one had the intentions of offending anyone in any way.”
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Nicole Kidman is taking on one of the most high-profile roles of her career in forthcoming drama, Grace of Monaco.
The actress was pictured for the first time on set Tuesday, making every effort to emulate the regal Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco.
Nicole Kidman, who is currently filming the movie in Menton, France, was styled in a pale yellow tent coat, strings of pearls adorning her collar.
Her cropped blonde locks were swept up into soft curls, mimicking the late Hollywood actress’ famous hairstyle.
Accompanied by an assistant, Nicole Kidman was shielded from the sun by an umbrella on her way to set.
Nicole Kidman is taking on one of the most high-profile roles of her career in forthcoming drama, Grace of Monaco
Assistants were later seen wrapping her locks in a polka-dot headscarf, and sliding winged sunglasses onto her face, making for a trademark look often worn by the late Hollywood star.
Grace of Monaco, which recently began lensing, tells the story of Grace Kelly’s involvement with Monaco’s Prince Rainier III and France’s Charles De Gaulle dispute over tax laws in the early 1960s.
Helmed by La Vie en Rose director Olivier Dahn, and with a reported $30 million budget, the film co-stars Tim Roth, Parker Posey, and Milo Ventimiglia.
Grace of Monaco is scheduled for release in 2014.
Nicole Kidman recently opened up about the conflicting aspects of her personality, revealing to Harper’s Bazaar she’s only recently become more comfortable in front of the camera.
“I was shy. Deeply shy,” she said of her early career, then married to Tom Cruise.
“I didn’t feel comfortable at all. But I felt very comfortable at home.”
Things have changed somewhat, however, since she’s moved on with her husband, country music star Keith Urban.
“All of that other stuff becomes less important [as you get older],” she said.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, who married in 2006, share two daughters, Sunday and Faith.
Grace Kelly is one of the silver screen’s greatest icons.
But it seems Nicole Kidman will be able to pull off the difficult task of playing her in a new Grace Kelly biopic.
Nicole Kidman, 45, looks sensational in a portrait where she has the Princess of Monaco’s glamorous style down to perfection.
The Australian actress wears the Oscar-winning star’s swept back hairstyle, and a classically elegant gown in the image from Grace of Monaco.
And Nicole Kidman should have the acting chops to pull of such a difficult role too, as she won an Academy Award herself for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in 2002’s The Hours.
Nicole Kidman looks sensational in a portrait where she has the Princess of Monaco’s glamorous style down to perfection
The film is not quite a classic biopic however, as it follows Grace Kelly’s personal story during an intriguing time in the principality’s history in 1962.
It focuses on a six-month period in which the new Princess of Monaco maneuvered behind the scenes in an effort to save the city-state from a coup.
It has a heavyweight cast which includes Tim Roth, Parker Posey, and Milo Ventimiglia, and is directed by La Vie en Rose favorite Olivier Dahn.
Nicole Kidman’s classically elegant look is certainly a million miles away from her appearance in The Paperboy, which has just been released in cinemas.
She plays wild character Charlotte Bless, which follows a reporter [Matthew McConaughey] and his younger brother [Zac Efron] as they investigate a murder to exonerate a man on death row.
Nicole Kidman ends up urinating on Zac Efron after his character has an encounter with a jellyfish, and also participates in some sex scenes.
