Designer Deepak Perwani accused of making distasteful comments during live chat
Famous fashion designer Deepak Perwani has apologised for fat-shaming journalist Aamna Haider Isani, following the backlash on social media.
Perwani was accused of making the insensitive remarks during an Instagram live session with designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin.
In an Instagram live session with Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, Deepak while talking about fashion critics – including journalist Aamna Isani – had said: “Are they critics or the people who take money? They post reviews for money, even on Instagram”.
On referring to her, he said, “Agar front pay na behtao to moti shor kar rahi hoti hai, motiyan shor kar rahi hoti hain kay free ka bag nahi mila.”
“80% of the reviews are favourable to the people that they like,” he added.
Later, when asked to share his thoughts on the Lux Style Awards, Deepak said: “We don’t allow you to nominate us, who are you to dominate us? Apnay kapray toh dekho. Kya pehan kar ati ho. Humay baatao gi kay kapray kya hotay hain.”
“You [Hassan] said this to me: ‘That woman, she doesn’t even know how to wear clothes herself and she is going to write a review about my clothes. She doesn’t even know what she is talking about.”
Soon after the video from the live session went viral, social media users lashed out at Deepak for fat-shaming.
https://twitter.com/ManalFaheemKhan/status/1320274167871246336
To body shame a journalist and to disregard the many years that she has dedicated to Pakistan’s fashion industry, in a public live chat, is uncalled for. @aamnaisani , this just isn’t worth your time.
— Maliha Rehman (@MalihaRehman) October 25, 2020
Fat shaming is not good but I am convinced she was asking for free bags. Her reviews are paid and people who don’t party with her are given bad reviews
— SK—— (@ssme_me) October 25, 2020
— AHI (@aamnaisani) October 25, 2020
My father, an actor for 50+ years, always says you can’t grow as a creative person w/o respecting humanity of your critics and not seeing criticism as a personal attack. This ridiculous comment only reflects poorly on Deepak & spectacularly on the quality of @aamnaisani’s work. https://t.co/4yaexSYIIu
— Zainab Imam (@zainabimam) October 25, 2020
If ‘all critics are corrupt’, then all those who believe in it are idiots. I stand with @aamnaisani who has been around for more than 2 decades and has given Fashion Industry more than it has given her back. Instead of fat shaming her, we should be thanking her for her services!
— Omair Alavi عمیر علوی (@omair78) October 25, 2020