Kérastase apologises after Emily Ratajkowski makes ‘disrespectful’ comment in new campaign

'This is so narrow-minded'

Olivia Petter
Friday 12 January 2018 12:35 GMT
Comments
(Getty Images for GQ)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Emily Ratajkowski has come under fire for promoting her new Kérastase campaign in an Instagram post in which she claimed hair was a “fundamental part of femininity”.

The model and actress announced her partnership with the brand on Tuesday alongside a black and white portrait shot and the following caption: “Hair is a fundamental part of beauty, femininity and identity.”

After receiving a barrage of criticism from fans claiming her comment was offensive to people who suffer from hair loss, the 26-year-old beauty has since changed the caption.

Commenters accused Ratajkowski and Kérastase of being insensitive to cancer patients and people who have lost their hair due to other disorders.

“Some people have hair pulling disorders, cancer, or other reasons why they can't/don't want to grow their hair,” one person wrote.

“Please be considerate to them. Beauty is skin deep.”

“Hair has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with beauty - beauty comes from within, strength & intelligence,” another added.

Others lambasted Ratajskowski for being “narrow-minded and disrespectful”, claiming she must’ve never had a loved one lose their hair as a result of chemotherapy.

Hours after she posted the image, Ratajkowski edited the caption to read: “So excited to announce that I am the new face of @kerastase_official! Welcome good hair days!”

Responding to angry commenters, a spokesperson for Kérastase has been issuing apologies on the brand’s own Instagram page.

We are deeply sorry for offending our fans and followers – it was absolutely not our intention,” they wrote in response to one person.

“As our new muse, Emily, says, ‘everyone is uniquely beautiful in their own way’, and we agree wholeheartedly.

“We sincerely apologise and appreciate that you have called us out. We have learned from this and we will do better in the future.”

Writing in response to another infuriated follower, Kérastase retracted their claims that beauty was synonymous with femininity, adding: “Of course beauty is not defined by your hair, beauty is something more spiritual, beauty is an attitude coming from inside each of us.”

The Independent has contacted Kérastase for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in