Elle magazine apologises for 'racist' article on Obamas' 'white fashion'

Knoxville Times (ANI) Saturday 4th February, 2012

French magazine 'Elle' has apologised for a 'racist' article posted on its website that suggested that black American elite, inspired by the Obamas, were finally embracing 'white' fashion, after it garnered lot of protest from various quarters.

Fashion blogger Nathalie Dolivo, in the article claims that the Obamas are the catalyst for a 'black fashion renaissance' and suggests America's first black president has given the black community a 'chic' option other than 'streetwear codes'.

"In 2012, the 'black-geoisie' has integrated all the white codes ... but with a twist, bourgeois with an ethnic reference that recalls their roots," the Daily Mail quoted her article.

Elle's editor Valerie Toranian published an online apology, saying the magazine was 'deeply sorry' to have caused offence.

It has even invited an anti-racism body to take part in a debate on the 'controversial' article.

In a new post on Elle's site, Dolivo also apologises for the article, saying it was an attempt to take a 'positive' look at US society and style.

"It was about putting the spotlight on these new figures who are unsettling and fascinating the worlds of fashion and entertainment," she wrote.

The blog post has unleashed a storm of protest from both sides of the Atlantic and drawn accusations of racism.

However, the magazine has denied it is racist.

The Societe des Journalists, a body representing journalists at the title, released a statement saying, 'No, 'Elle' is not racist'.

It added that the magazine had ceaselessly campaigned for the dignity of all women for more than 60 years. (ANI)