A local Nebraska fashion week gained attention when a jacket with a design resembling a swastika appeared on the runway. Designer Kelli Molczyk, who created the jacket, claimed that the design was inspired by an antique pinwheel quilt remnant she purchased two years prior. She stated that she did not intend for the design to depict a swastika. Omaha Fashion Week owner Brook Hudson mentioned that the design was not flagged during the final walkthrough before the show, as Molczyk was considered a seasoned designer.
Designers participating in Omaha Fashion Week are required to submit their garments for review beforehand to ensure appropriateness. However, Molczyk, as a headlining designer, was likely trusted due to her reputation. When the issue with the jacket was noticed on the runway, the production team immediately took action to remove it. The event’s producer released a statement expressing their disgust at the presence of a hate symbol and emphasized that such acts are not tolerated within the community.
As a result of the incident, Molczyk was removed from her panelist position and barred from participating in future OFW events. Despite claiming innocence and condemning hate speech and conduct, Molczyk faced repercussions for the controversial jacket design. OFW is now in the process of determining additional precautions to prevent similar situations in the future. Molczyk’s statement highlighted her lack of association with hate organizations and strong stance against hate speech.
The appearance of a jacket resembling a swastika at the Omaha Fashion Week event sparked controversy and led to the designer, Kelli Molczyk, being removed from her position. Molczyk claimed that the design was inspired by an antique quilt remnant and stated that she did not intend to depict a swastika. The event’s organizer, Brook Hudson, mentioned that they trust seasoned designers like Molczyk to create appropriate designs, as they are more experienced in the industry.
Omaha Fashion Week requires designers to submit their garments for review before the event to ensure that they are suitable for the runway. Despite these precautions, the swastika-like design made its way onto the runway, triggering a strong reaction from the production team. As a response to the incident, Molczyk was removed from her panelist position and banned from participating in future OFW events. The event’s organizers expressed their disapproval of hate symbols and emphasized their commitment to preventing such incidents in the future.
Molczyk defended herself against accusations of promoting hate speech and hate groups, stating that she vehemently opposes such conduct. Despite her assertion of innocence, Molczyk faced consequences for the controversial design. OFW is now reviewing their vetting process to ensure that all garments are thoroughly checked before appearing on the runway. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of careful consideration and scrutiny in the fashion industry to prevent offensive designs from being displayed publicly.
