A celebrity fashion designer has apologized profusely for writing a note to a fashion blogger that contained what some consider to be a racial slur.
Ulyana Sergeenko, a Russian designer who counts Rihanna and Kim Kardashian among her clients, was criticized on Tuesday when style blogger Miroslava Duma posted the note on her Instagram Stories.
Duma posted an image of a bouquet of roses and an accompanying note which read, “To my ni–as in Paris.”
The photo quickly went viral, with Sergeenko taking to her own Instagram page to apologize and explain that the note was a reference to rappers Kanye West and JAY-Z‘s 2011 song, “Niggas in Paris”.
“Kanye West is one of my favorite musicians, and NP (N****s in Paris) is one of my favorite songs,” she wrote. She added that she and Duma often “call each other the N word sometimes when we want to believe that we are just as cool as these guys who sing it.”
She added:
“I am deeply sorry to everyone whom I might have offended. Mira is a dear friend and even the fact that she so naively posted my private card on her social means that we meant nothing wrong and didn’t realized (sic) the consequences.”
Duma also apologized on her Instagram page, writing:
“I sincerely apologize for my regrettable Instagram Story that went out… The word is utterly offensive, and I regret promoting it and am very sorry. I deeply respect people of all backgrounds and detest racism or discrimination of any kind.”
But, despite the apologies, the repercussions were swift.
Nasiba Adilova announced on Instagram that the Russian fashionista has been removed from her position as a board member at The Tot, a baby product company.
In similar news, a movement is underway to shame unwashed Hispanic rappers from using the N-word in their daily language and rap music.
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