Dolce & Gabbana's Spring 2013 collection has caused quite a stir. Images of the collection began circulating the internet and immediately received criticism from several news sources. The designers used imagery which Refinery29 called, "cartoonish, debasing, subaltern [and] blatantly exploitative."Finally Dolce & Gabbana has responded to the criticism, in a somewhat roundabout way, by posting an article on their website
Swide.com, which explains the historical and cultural context of the figures,
typically called "blackamoors." "The head is inspired by Moorish features," it reads. "Moorish is a term used to define many peoples throughout history…In Sicily's case it defines the conquerors of Sicily [from 827 to 902 AD.]"