Valentino Africa Paris Fashion Week Spring 2016

Photo: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage/ Getty Images.

It's hardly news that the fashion industry has a problem with cultural appropriation — and it doesn't seem to be getting better. Case in point: Valentino's spring 2016 show today featured mostly white models walking down the runway, sporting cornrows for a collection that was inspired by Africa. It was especially surprising coming from Valentino — the same house that sent Derek Zoolander and Hansel down the runway last season, in what many saw as the ultimate act of the fashion industry holding up a mirror to itself. But alas, the designers completely missed the mark this time, and plenty of people are downright angry, for a host of reasons. Some took to Twitter to vent their frustrations, and let's just say there was a whole lot of ignorance for them to be mad at. The fact that the models were predominantly white:

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Returned from my shower to find Valentino putting cornrows and dreadlocks in their white models' hair. #PFW #SS16
— Samantha Powell (@sdpowell1) October 6, 2015

valentino’s new collection is africa inspired yet most of the models walking were white...? i expected more from them tbh
— bella (@stockholmns) October 6, 2015

valentino are doin a collection based on african history/style and from what i can see there is predominantly white models. How could you
— kirsty (@lhommewalk) October 6, 2015

Valentino's S/S '16 show was inspired by "tribal Africa", yet only 8 out the of 87 models were black. Somehow don't see that adding up
— Sophie Hammond (@Sophindra) October 6, 2015

The fact that the industry continues to use words like "wild" and "tribal" to describe Africa:

Well kids, we're going to "wild, tribal Africa." #Valentino #pfw
— Robin Givhan (@RobinGivhan) October 6, 2015

'wild africa' what in the entire fuckery is this valentino
— petty flacko (@mercishukri) October 6, 2015

The fact that the mostly white models were wearing cornrows:

perhaps cornrows on mostly white models could've been the first red flag to anyone with eyes on the valentino team.
— rishi (@rmagia) October 6, 2015

valentino really has GOT to stop with the cornrows on white models
— brooke windham (@coleneiers) October 6, 2015

The fact that Africa is, in fact, a large continent, and therefore nearly impossible to categorize:

"African themed".......like the continent? With more than 50 countries? Please tell us more Valentino -_- https://t.co/YFVHYWQ37P
— Roxy Ware (@xanattack16) October 6, 2015

But mainly, people were fed up with cultural appropriation in general:

My first tweet in years is going to be about racial insensitivity in fashion. @MaisonValentino #toomuch pic.twitter.com/FzSvbYpW5M
— Keith C Peterson (@KCamPeterson) October 6, 2015

The whole 'look into Africa' Valentino is stating just feels so....wrong
— zety shahirah (@zetyshahirah) October 6, 2015

Not gonna lie. I kinda hate the Valentino collection. Tip toeing the line of cultural appropriation.
— Breanna (@thabreannashow) October 6, 2015

Valentino's 'wild Africa' show aka cultural appropriation central.
— Jnnfr (@Alt_Jennifer) October 6, 2015

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People Are Pissed About Valentino's "Africa-Inspired" Show

People Are Pissed About Valentino’s “Africa-Inspired” Show

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